Retha’s Black Bean Soup
Recipe Makes 6 Servings

This recipe for black bean soup can be topped off with extra diced bell peppers, lite shredded cheese, avocado, cilantro, or tortilla chips.

INGREDIENTS:

1 pound Dried Black Beans
4 cups Low Sodium Chicken Broth
2 cups Water
3 cloves Garlic, Minced
1 whole Medium Onion, Diced
1 whole Red, Green, and Yellow Bell Pepper, seeded and diced
1 teaspoon Sea Salt (more To Taste)
1-1/2 teaspoon Chili Powder
1-1/2 teaspoon Cumin

DIRECTIONS:

1. Pick through the beans removing any stones. Rinse the beans in a strainer. Place the beans in a bowl or pot, cover with cold water, and allow to soak overnight. Bring to a boil, then boil for 2 minutes. Turn off the heat, cover the pot and allow the beans to sit for 1 hour. Drain the beans and rinse them with cold water.

2. In a medium pot, add beans, chicken stock, water, onions, and bell peppers. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1 1/2 hours. At that time, add salt, chili powder, and cumin and stir. Cover and continue simmering for another 30 minutes to 1 hour, until the liquid level is to your preference (thick or thin soup).

3. Taste for seasoning and add more of what it needs. Serve soup in a bowl with extra diced bell peppers, lite shredded cheese, avocado, cilantro, or tortilla strips.