Spicy Black Bean Soup

Well hello there! :)

And happy Friday!!

Today, I am so excited to share a new recipe that I made last night! It was originally published in Bon Appetite by Katherine Burk (2002). Lately, I've been craving warm and spicy foods, which is very unusual... most likely from the chilly winter weather.

























This soup did the trick! It will satisfy your cravings for warm and spicy, and... even better, it may even be enjoyed by 'standard-American-diet eating' significant others! (My boyfriend loved it!!) As I know many of you can relate... it's difficult challenging cooking for people on completely opposite ends of the 'nutrition spectrum'. This recipe is definitely a make-again!

I made slight changes to the original recipe, to reduce the sodium/BPA content from the canned beans, and doubled up on the jalepeno pepper to add an extra metabolism-boosting kick! Below is the original recipe, with my modifications in italics, which made the recipe vegan + gluten free.

Spicy Black Bean Soup

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 cups chopped red onion
1 4-ounce can diced mild green chilies
2 garlic cloves, chopped (I used large cloves.)
1 tablespoon chopped jalapeño chili with seeds (I used 2 tablespoons.)
1 tablespoon ground cumin
2 15-ounce cans black beans, undrained (I rinsed them.)
2 cups canned low-salt chicken broth (vegetable broth to make vegan)
8 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
Sour cream (didn't use)
Tortilla chips (didn't use)

Directions:
Heat oil in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add onion, green chilies, garlic, jalapeño, and cumin. Sauté until onion is tender, about 5 minutes. Add beans with juices and broth (rinsed). Bring soup to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover and simmer until flavors blend, about 15 minutes. Puree 3 cups soup in batches in blender. Return puree to same pot. Mix in 6 tablespoons cilantro. Season soup to taste with salt and pepper. Ladle soup into bowls. Top with dollop of sour cream and tortilla chips. Sprinkle with remaining 2 tablespoons cilantro.

What are your tips and/or recipes for cooking for people when one may not be into 'healthy?' I know I am not the only one who has a fast-food loving significant other. ;)

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