Black Bean with Bacon Soup

Black Bean with Bacon Soup
Serves 4 (Easy)


Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
Make ahead: Can be made several days ahead and re-heated. Stir in the lime juice just before serving.
Tip: For chunky soup, add the 2nd can of beans after the soup has been pureed. If you prefer a smoother soup, add all the beans at once and puree until smooth.

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, chopped
3 slices bacon, diced
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 jalapeño, seeded and chopped
2 15-ounce cans black beans, drained and rinsed, divided
1 15-ounce can diced tomatoes, with juice
1 1/2 cups chicken broth
Juice of ½ a lime
Salt and pepper to taste

Garnish:
Sour cream
2 strips crisply cooked bacon, crumbled
Chopped fresh cilantro
Sliced green onions

Heat oil in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add onion, bacon and garlic; sauté until onions are soft. Stir in cumin and jalapeño. Add one can of beans, tomatoes with juice, and broth; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium, cover and cook 15 minutes. Using a stick blender puree’ the soup (or transfer the soup to blender and puree until smooth. Return puree to pot). Stir in remaining can of beans. Simmer about 15 minutes. Stir in lime juice; season to taste with salt and pepper.
To Serve: Ladle soup into bowls. Garnish with sour cream, crumbled bacon, cilantro and green onions.
Reprinted with permission. Copyright: Amy's Table: Food for Family and Friends Orange Frazer, Wilmington, OH


A radio host, television personality and cooking school director, Amy Tobin has her finger on the pulse of what the home cook really wants. The recipes included in her book, Amy's Table: Food for Family and Friends, are do-able and feature fresh, accessible ingredients. Most are quick and easy because Amy feels "Great cooking should be great fun" Her passion for good food is matched by her passion for a warm and comfortable dining experience each and every time that a guest joins her at Amy's Table. Her favorite part of any gathering is the relaxed and contented mood at the end of a good meal. Home cooks will share that same contentment at their own tables when they prepare dishes from Amy's Table.

Complementary Wines: Gewürztraminer, Riesling, Sangiovese, Shiraz

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