Black Bean Soup

Servings: 8

Serving Size: about 1-1/2 cups, Calories: 234.4, Fat: 2.6 g, Protein: 13.6 g, Carb: 40.1 g, Fiber: 19.6 g

Ingredients:

For the beans:

1 lb dry black beans
1 small bell red pepper
1 small onion, quartered
2 cloves garlic
3 bay leaves

For the soup:

1 tbsp olive oil
1 large onion, minced
1/2 cup chopped parsley
1 red pepper, minced
2 medium carrots, shredded
5 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp red wine vinegar
1/4 (2 oz) cup white wine
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp oregano
1 chicken bullion (vegans use vegetable bullion)
salt and black pepper

Directions:

Rinse beans and place in a large pot with about 8 cups of water. Cover and bring to a boil, then remove from heat and let the beans sit, covered for one hour. Drain the water then add 8-10 cups of cold water when ready to cook. Add 1 bell pepper, 2 garlic, small onion and bay leaves to the beans. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to low. Simmer for about an hour, or until tender, stirring occasionally. (Add water if necessary) Meanwhile, in a large frying pan, heat oil on low. Add chopped vegetables (onion, parsley, carrots, pepper, garlic) season with salt and pepper and sauté for about 5 minutes, or until soft. Add the vegetables to the soup after it has simmered an hour, then add wine, vinegar, cumin, oregano, bullion, salt and pepper and adjust water if needed. Cover and simmer on low about 15 – 20 minutes. Remove bay leaves then, using an immersion blender, partially blend the soup for about 10 seconds to thicken. Adjust salt, pepper and cumin to taste and ladle about 1 1/2 cups into each bowl. Top with low-fat sour cream, chopped onions, scallions, chives or/or cilantro and enjoy!