Black Bean Soup With Salsa Cream
This hearty and flavorful black bean soup is a comforting dish that will warm you up from the inside out. With a blend of aromatic spices, tender beans, and a zesty salsa cream topping, this soup is sure to be a hit at your table. Follow the simple steps to create a delicious bowl of goodness that is perfect for any occasion.
— Constant Cookbook
Ingredients
- 2 cups dried black beans
- 2 Tbs. canola oil
- 2 yellow onions, finely chopped
- 1 or 2 jalapeño chilies, seeded and minced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 small red bell pepper, diced
- 1 tsp. ground cumin
- 1 tsp. dried coriander
- 1 tsp. dried oregano
- 8 cups water
- 1⁄2 small ham hock or ham bone
- 2 Tbs. fresh lime juice
- 2 Tbs. minced fresh cilantro, plus 6 to 8 sprigs
- Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
- 1⁄2 cup sour cream
- 2 Tbs. fresh lime juice
- 2 Tbs. purchased fresh salsa
- Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Pick over the beans, discarding any misshapen beans and stones, and rinse well. In a large pot, combine the beans with cold water to cover by 3 inches. Soak for at least 4 hours or up to overnight. Alternatively, for a quick-soak method, bring the beans and water to a rapid simmer (but do not boil), then simmer for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat, cover and let stand for 1 hour. Drain the beans and set aside.
- In a large soup pot over medium heat, warm the oil. Add the onions and sauté until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the chilies to taste, garlic, bell pepper, cumin, coriander and oregano. Sauté, stirring frequently, until the vegetables are softened and the mixture is very aromatic, 7 to 10 minutes.
- Add the beans, water and ham hock, cover partially and simmer over medium heat until the beans are soft, 1 to 1 1¿2 hours. Remove from the heat and discard the ham hock.
- In a blender or food processor, puree the soup in batches, leaving some texture, and return the soup to the pot. Alternatively, process with a handheld blender in the pot until the desired consistency is reached. Add the lime juice, minced cilantro, salt and pepper. If the soup is too thick, thin it with water. (If you prefer a velvety consistency, puree the soup until smooth, then pour it through a fine-mesh strainer into a saucepan.) Reheat gently over medium heat.
- Just before serving, make the salsa cream: In a small bowl, stir together the sour cream, lime juice, salsa, salt and pepper.
- Ladle the soup into warmed bowls and garnish each bowl with the salsa cream and a cilantro sprig. Serves 6 to 8.
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