Sherried Black Bean Bisque Recipes

BLACK BEAN BISQUE

Steps:

• Cook bacon in a large Dutch oven until crisp. Reserve 2 tablespoons drippings in pan; drain bacon on paper towels and reserve for another use. Add onion, celery, and carrot, and cook 5 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Add 2 1/2 quarts water, black beans, and next 4 ingredients. Bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat to medium and cook at a brisk simmer, skimmy any foam for 1.5 hours or until beans are tender. Add salt and vinegar during last 5 minutes. Remove from heat, and stir in cream. Puree with an immersion blender.

SHERRIED BLACK BEANS

Steps:

• Rinse beans and place in a bowl. Cover with boiling water and set aside.
• In a saucepan of at least two-quart capacity, saute the salt pork until it just begins to brown. Add one-half cup of the onion and green pepper and continue to cook over medium heat until sauced. Add garlic and continue to cook, stirring, for another minute or so.
• Drain beans and add them to the saucepan along with three cups of water.
• Bring to a boil, lower heat and simmer, covered, for one-and-ahalf hours, until the beans are just tender. Add salt and pepper to taste, simmer uncovered for another 30 minutes, but watch carefully and stir from time to time so the beans do not stick.
• Remove one-half cup of the beans, mash or puree them and return them to the saucepan along with the sherry. Adjust seasonings if necessary and serve, topped with remaining chopped onion and sour cream.

SMOKY BLACK BEAN BISQUE

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the carrot, corn and onion and cook until the vegetables being to soften, about 8 minutes. Season with salt.
• Add the garlic, chile powder and cumin and cook until the spices are fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the beans, chipotle and adobo sauce and stir just to combine. Pour in the stock and 1 cup water. Bring to a simmer and cook until thick and creamy, 35 to 40 minutes.
• Stir in the lime juice and season with salt, if necessary. Puree the hot soup with a hand blender, if desired, or leave chunky. Serve in soup bowls with the cilantro and a dollop of sour cream.

SHERRIED BLACK BEAN SOUP

Steps:

• In a large, heavy saucepan, bring the beans and 4 cups of water to a boil. Boil briskly for 2 minutes, then remove from the heat and let stand, covered, for 1 hour.
• In a 5-quart Dutch oven, melt the butter. Add the onions, celery, carrot, and garlic, and cook until soft but not browned. Add the ham hock, the remaining 4 cups water, parsley, salt, cayenne pepper, cloves, mustard seed, bay leaf, and beans (with their liquid). Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat, and simmer for about 3 hours.
• Remove the ham hocks and let cool slightly. Remove and discard bay leaf. Place about half of the beans with about 1 cup of the liquid from the soup in a blender or food processor. Process until smooth. Return the puree to the soup in the Dutch oven.
• Remove the ham from its bone and add the meat to the soup. (Discard fat, bones and skin.) Reheat the soup over medium heat. Stir in the sherry. Serve hot soup with choice of garnishes to sprinkle on top.

BLACK BEAN BISQUE WITH CRAB

Steps:

• Combine broth and bean dip in 2-quart glass measure or microwave-safe casserole. Cover with vented plastic wrap or lid; microwave on HIGH (100% power) 6 minutes or until soup starts to bubble.
• Stir in crabmeat and brandy, if desired; microwave on MEDIUM (50% power) 2 minutes or to desired serving temperature. To serve, ladle bisque into 8 individual ramekins or soup bowls, dividing evenly. Swirl 1 tablespoon sour cream into each serving. Garnish with chives, if desired.
• Stove Top Directions Combine broth and bean dip in 2-quart saucepan; bring to a boil over medium heat. Stir in crabmeat and brandy, if desired; cook 2 minutes or to desired serving temperature. Serve as directed.

SHERRIED WINTER SQUASH BISQUE

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in heavy large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add butternut squash and sauté until beginning to brown, about 10 minutes. Add tomatoes and Sherry. Boil until almost all liquid evaporates, about 30 seconds. Stir in 2 1/2 cups vegetable broth. Bring to boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer until squash it very tender, stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes.
• Puree soup in blender in batches until smooth. Return soup to same saucepan. Stir in milk and chopped thyme. Bring to simmer. Season soup to taste with salt and pepper. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover tightly and refrigerate. Bring soup to simmer before serving, thinning with more broth, if desired.)
• Ladle soup into bowls. Top with dollop of yogurt. Garnish with thyme sprigs.