Hearty Black Bean Soup

* Exported from MasterCook *

Hearty Black Bean Soup

Recipe By : the California Culinary Academy
Serving Size : 5 Preparation Time :0:45
Categories : Microwave Soups & Stews

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
2 tablespoons oil
3 medium onions -- chopped
4 cloves garlic -- minced
48 ounces canned black beans (frijoles negros) --
drained and rinsed
1 tablespoon fresh oregano -- finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin -- or to taste
1/2 teaspoon fresh thyme -- finely chopped
1 bay leaf
2 cups cubed ham -- cooked
2 cups chicken stock
1/4 cup dry sherry
16 ounces canned whole tomatoes -- drained & chopped
1/4 cup fresh tomatoes -- peeled and chopped
salt and freshly ground pepper -- to taste
ACCOMPANIMENTS:
fresh lime or lemon wedges
sour cream
radishes -- thinly sliced
green onions -- sliced
cilantro leaves
chile salsa

In a wide-bottomed, large saucepan over medium heat, heat oil. Add
onions and cook until soft, 3 to 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1
minute longer. Stir in beans, oregano, cumin, thyme, bay leaf, ham,
stock, sherry, and tomatoes.

Increase heat and bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer,
uncovered, about 30 minutes. Season to taste with salt, if necessary,
and pepper. Serve soup with your choice of accompaniments, or
cool to room temperature and refrigerate or freeze.

Makes about 7 cups.

* Timesaver Tip: Soup can be made up to 2 days ahead, covered, and
refrigerated, or it can be frozen. To freeze, spoon soup into one
large or several smaller individual freezer containers. Cover, label,
and freeze at 0 degrees F up to 1 month. To serve, defrost soup 15 to
20 minutes on Defrost setting of microwave, or thaw in refrigerator 8
to 24 hours. Gently warm soup in a saucepan or microwave at 50% power
until it is warmed through. Stir several times both during defrosting
and during reheating.

Microwave Version

Put oil in a 2-quart casserole and microwave on 70% power 45 seconds.
Add onions and microwave another 3 minutes, until onions are soft. Add
garlic and microwave a minute longer. Complete step 2 as directed
above. Cover casserole with waxed paper or loosely
with plastic wrap and microwave, still on 70% power, 30 minutes.
Season to taste and proceed with step 4 as directed above. Preparation
time and timesaver tip same as above.

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NOTES : This sturdy soup contains ham and tomatoes in addition to the
beans, plus savory herbs and an enlivening touch of sherry. Add crusty
rolls, a salad of fresh greens, and a beverage, and you have a meal.
Nutr. Assoc. : 0 0 0 156 0 0 0 0 3653 0 0 2470 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0