Tasty black bean soup is full of warming and hearty flavors!
Ingredients :
4 slices bacon chopped, or 1 tablespoon butter
1 large yellow onion chopped
1 cup diced celery
1 ½ cups diced red bell pepper
4 cloves garlic minced
30 ounces canned black beans 2 x 15 ounces cans, drained and rinsed
2 cups reduced sodium chicken broth
14 ounces canned diced tomatoes with juices
1 jalapeno seeded and finely diced
2 teaspoons cumin
2 teaspoons chili powder
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
1 bay leaf
toppings as desired
Directions :
Heat a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the bacon and cook, stirring occasionally, until crisp. Remove from the pan and set aside (reserving fat.)
Add the onion, celery, bell pepper, and garlic to the bacon fat and cook over medium heat until tender.
Stir in the remaining ingredients (except bacon) and bring to a boil over medium high heat. Reduce the heat to medium low, cover, and simmer 20 minutes.
Remove the bay leaf and discard. Using an immersion blender, blend about half of the soup mixture to thicken. Stir in the bacon.
Serve with sour cream, cilantro, and green onions if desired.
