Black Bean Soup
I'm about to use the word "we," but I feel the need to publicly declare that there is no "me" in "we." To be slightly more blunt, IT'S NOT MY FAULT. Ahem.
I don't know how it happens, but "we" have a habit of ending up with eight open jars of salsa in our fridge. I wish I were exaggerating, but I'm not. Seriously. Open our fridge. I bet you find multiple open jars of salsa. I'll bet you $1000, in fact, because I KNOW I WILL WIN. Apparently it's really fun to open new jars of salsa? I don't know.
Regardless, because we always have open jars of salsa in the fridge, I'm always looking for ways to make them go away before they turn into some sort of science experiment. One of my favorite tricks for making small amounts of salsa vanish is Black Bean Soup.
This is a super easy and basic Black Bean Soup recipe. There's plenty of room for improvisation if you'd like, but it's pretty fantastic in all of its simple glory.
Simple Black Bean Soup
2 cans black beans (don't drain them)
1 can broth (Chicken or vegetable. Your choice.)
1/2 cup salsa
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon paprika
Shredded cheese for garnish, if desired
Sour cream for garnish, if desired
This is going to be super complicated, so try your best to stick with me. Start by throwing the black beans, broth, salsa, chili powder, and paprika into a large pot. Stick it on top of your stove and turn the heat on to medium. Stir. Stir a little more. Stir a little more. Once the soup begins to boil, you're done.
Really.
I'm sorry that was so hard.
You can make it a tiny bit more complicated, if you would like. If you like your black bean soup to be a bit "creamy," smoosh some of the beans with a fork or potato masher. Or, you can get SUPER fancy and use an immersion blender. Whatever makes you happy is fine by me.
Garnish the soup with shredded cheese and sour cream, if that's your sort of thing. It's definitely *MY* sort of thing. This kid, though? She likes her Black Bean Soup straight up.
(Oh, and the sandwich in the second photograph is a Chik'n Parmesan sandwich. Morningstar Chik'n patty + 1 slice of parmesan cheese + a few tablespoons of marinara + some sort of hoagie roll = YUM.)
Recipe
Reader Comments (4)
Yum! Love me some black bean soup.
And I don't ask this to be difficult - I am truly curious. Why do many vegetarians want things that taste like meat? Why buy fake chicken patties or fake sausages or fake hamburger? Is it just easy protein? Or do you like the taste of meat but don't eat it because of ethical or health reasons? I've always wondered.
@Michelle--They don't taste like chicken. I happen to hate the taste of chicken (as far as I can remember, anyway, since it has been over 20 years). Morningstar stuff is just an easy way to get some protein. :-)
I love black bean soup! I would suggest adding a couple of dashes of cumin to the soup.
I wish we could eat Morningstar products, but most items contain cheese! :(
My refrigerator is filled with half empty bottles of bbq sauce. I buy new ones to try, but never finish the old ones. It is a bad habit I can't seem to break.