Description
Barefoot Contessa’s black bean soup delivers rich Mexican-inspired flavors with hearty ingredients. Homemade comfort brings warm spices and creamy texture that will satisfy hungry diners seeking a delicious meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 60 oz (1.7 kg) black beans, rinsed and drained
- 32 oz (0.95 L) vegetable broth
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 large yellow onion, chopped
- 1 large carrot, chopped
- 1 celery rib, chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, stemmed, seeded, and chopped
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro
- Kosher salt
- Black pepper
- Garnish options: avocado, cilantro, shredded cheese, plain Greek yogurt or sour cream, sliced green onion
Instructions
- Vegetable Preparation: Ignite olive oil in a capacious pot over medium-high heat, then tumble in diced red peppers, celery, onions, and carrots, sautéing until vegetables become tender and translucent.
- Aromatic Enhancement: Introduce minced garlic and continue cooking briefly to unlock deep, complex flavors while maintaining vegetable integrity.
- Liquid and Seasoning Integration: Merge black beans, vegetable broth, cumin, oregano, bay leaf, black pepper, and kosher salt into the pot, reducing heat to allow ingredients to harmonize and develop robust taste profiles.
- Texture Transformation: Remove bay leaf and employ an immersion blender to partially purée the soup, creating a velvety consistency with delightful chunky elements. Alternatively, transfer a portion to a standard blender, process until smooth, then reincorporate into the main mixture.
- Final Flourish: Elevate the soup’s vibrancy by folding in fresh cilantro and a zesty lime juice splash. Serve in warmed bowls, adorned with optional garnishes like creamy avocado, tangy sour cream, or additional verdant cilantro sprigs.
Notes
- Vegetable Prep Power: Dice vegetables uniformly to ensure even cooking and balanced flavor distribution in each spoonful.
- Blending Brilliance: Use an immersion blender for convenient, mess-free texture adjustment without transferring hot soup between containers.
- Flavor Layering Technique: Sauté vegetables thoroughly to develop deep, rich foundational flavors before adding liquid ingredients.
- Garnish Flexibility: Customize toppings based on personal preference or dietary needs, transforming the soup’s final presentation and taste profile.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 12 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg