Memory Lane Black Bean Soup Recipes

MEMORY LANE BLACK BEAN SOUP

Steps:

• Soak 1 lb. of dried black beans in 6 cups water, either by the quick soak method (boil for 2 minutes, let sit one hour) or overnight.
• Drain the beans.
• Put them in a soup pot and add 8 cups of water.
• Add diced vegetables, bay leaf and oregano or Italian Seasoning.
• Bring to a boil, then turn heat to simmer.
• Cover and simmer until beans are very soft. This might take 2-plus hours.
• Stir from time to time and add water if it needs some.
• When beans are very soft, add 1/4 cup sherry, 2 teaspoons salt and black pepper to taste.
• Simmer another 15 minutes.
• Remove bay leaf.
• Puree with a stick blender if you have one, or in container of blender jar. (Safety warning: If you use a blender do not fill more than 1/2 full with hot soup and hold the lid on firmly with one hand to prevent volcanic eruption.)
• Garnish with avocado cubes or lemon and serve hot.

SWEET SOUTHWESTERN BLACK BEAN SOUP

Steps:

• Spray pan with non-stick spray. Dice onion, add to pan. Add garlic.
• Cook on medium-high heat until onion is translucent.
• Add chicken broth, cumin, cinnamon, chili powder, cilantro, and diced tomatoes. Reduce to medium heat.
• Add drained corn and black beans.
• Simmer for 30 minutes to an hour. (the longer the better!).

SMOKEY BLACK BEAN SOUP

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a pot over med heat.
• Add the onions, celery and garlic and saute for about 5 minutes.
• Add the broth, tomatoes, cilantro, cumin, and smoked paprika. Bring to a soft boil. Reduce heat, and cover and simmer for 20 minutes.
• Add the black beans and simmer for an additional 10 minutes.
• Stir.
• At this time, if desired, puree 1/3 to 1/2 of the soup for a thicker texture. Totally optional.
• Add salt, if needed.
• Serve garnished with a dallop of the optional FF sour cream.

SOUTHWESTERN BLACK BEAN SOUP

Steps:

• In a large pan, saute onion, garlic, celery and Serrano peppers until tender, about 5 minutes.
• Add cumin, chili powder and pepper to coat onion mixture.
• Add beans and chicken broth reduce at a low boil until sauce thickens, about 15-20 minutes.
• Add fresh lime juice.
• Serve topped with grated cheese and sour cream and garnish with cilantro and lime slices.

BRAZILIAN BLACK BEAN SOUP

Steps:

• Heat oil in large sauce pan over medium heat.
• Add onion, half of the garlic and carrots.
• Season with cumin.
• Cook stirring until onion and carrots are tender.
• Stir in remaining garlic and the red pepper.
• Continue cooking till tender.
• Add beans, water broth, and orange juice.
• Season with cayenne.
• Place 1/2 or more of mixture in blender or food processor.
• Process until smooth.
• Return puree to pan.
• Simmer 10-15 minutes to blend flavors.
• Serve in bowls.
• Garnish with sour cream.
• Serves 6.

MEMORY LANE SCOTCH BROTH

Steps:

• Soak the barley in cold water while you make the lamb broth.
• Put two lamb shanks in a 6 quart soup pot (I like enameled cast iron) and brown them on all sides in a little oil.
• Add 8 cups of beef broth and 4 cups of water.
• Bring to a simmer and simmer for ten minutes.
• Skim the scum off the surface until it is clear.
• Add bay leaf, rosemary, thyme, Worcestershire sauce and dried parsley to pot.
• Simmer, lid ajar, for two hours until lamb is very tender and ready to fall off the bone.
• Remove lamb from the stock and cut meat into small pieces. Discard gristle, fat and bone.
• Chill the stock, then skim the congealed lamb fat off the top and discard it.
• Remove the bay leaf and discard.
• Saute all the chopped vegetables in a large skillet in 2 Tablespoons of butter for five to ten minutes until they are soft. Do not brown.
• Add the sauteed vegetables and the soaked drained barley to the stock and simmer, covered, about 45 minutes or until vegetables and barley are tender.
• Add lamb meat back into the soup.
• Taste and adjust the seasoning. Add a little salt if needed.
• Serve piping hot with freshly ground pepper on top.