Black Bean Soup

Black bean soup is a hearty and flavorful dish that is easy to make and packed with nutritious ingredients. Here's a recipe for a delicious black bean soup:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups dried black beans, soaked overnight and drained
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 jalapeño pepper, seeds removed and minced (optional for spice)
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 4 cups vegetable broth or water
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Juice of 1 lime
• Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
• Sour cream or Greek yogurt (optional, for serving)

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion, minced garlic, red bell pepper, jalapeño pepper (if using), carrots, and celery. Sauté for about 5 minutes until the vegetables start to soften.
2. Add the cumin, chili powder, and smoked paprika to the pot. Stir well to coat the vegetables with the spices and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes.
3. Add the soaked and drained black beans to the pot, along with the vegetable broth or water. Add the bay leaf. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover the pot.
4. Simmer the soup for about 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until the beans are tender and fully cooked. Stir occasionally and add more liquid if needed to maintain a soup-like consistency.
5. Once the beans are cooked, remove the bay leaf from the pot. Using an immersion blender or a regular blender, blend about half of the soup until smooth. This will help thicken the soup while still leaving some whole beans for texture. Alternatively, you can use a potato masher to mash some of the beans in the pot.
6. Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste. Stir in the lime juice for a fresh citrus flavor.
7. Serve the black bean soup hot, garnished with chopped fresh cilantro. You can also top it with a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt if desired.

Enjoy the warm and comforting flavors of homemade black bean soup. It pairs well with crusty bread or rice and makes a satisfying meal on its own or as part of a larger spread.