Black Bean Soup Chipotle"Smoke"

* Exported from MasterCook *

Black Bean Soup Chipotle "Smoke"

Recipe By : Sheila Lukins Feb 96 - Parade "The New Main Dish"
Serving Size : 6 Preparation Time :2:30
Categories : A-New-Main-Dish

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
1 pound dried black beans
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 large clove garlic -- crushed
3 quarts water -- (see note)
2 bay leaves
1 small dried red chipotle chili pepper
2 tablespoons ground cumin
1 tablespoon dried oregano
4 sprigs cilantro -- large, whole
4 tablespoons flat leaf parsley -- chopped
salt and pepper
1 red bell pepper -- 1/4-inch dice
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons dry sherry
2 teaspoons fresh lime juice
1/4 cup cilantro -- chopped
cooked rise
lime slices
sour cream

[1] Sort beans, discard stones. Soak overnight, covered with 2 inches
of water. Drain the beans and rinse several times in cold water. Set aside.
[2] Place oil in large, heavy pot over medium heat, add onion, cook 15
minutes, or until wilted, adding the garlic during the last 5 minutes.
[3] Add reserved beans, water, bay leaves, dried chili, cumin and
oregano. Gently bruise the cilantro sprigs. Tie them together and add to
the pot along with 2 tablespoons chopped parsley.
[4] Bring to boil, reduce heat to medium and simmer, uncovered for 1
1/2 hours, reducing the heat if necessary. Skim any foam that rises to the
surface.
[5] Discard the cilantro and bay leaves. Remove 2 cups of the soup
along with any garlic pieces and puree. Stir the puree back into the soup.
Season with salt and pepper.
[6] Add bell pepper, sugar, sherry, lime juice and 2 tables of parsley
and the chopped cilantro. Cook for 30 minutes. Serve in bowls over rice,
with lime, a drizzle of sherry, some sour cream.

Chipotles -- Dried. Rehydrate the way we do dried tomatoes. Pickled.
Big-green ones are a new variety (ap 96)

Note: For extra flavor, a low or no sodium broth may be used instead of or
for some of the water.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

NOTES : "If you miss the flavor of a ham bone, a canned chipotle chili can
help."