Panera-esque

 

Mike was in charge of picking all of the menu items for the week.  I handed him my recipe index and asked him to pick seven things.  When he mentioned Black Bean Soup for one of the days, I have to admit, I wasn’t too excited, but agreed.

I think my resistance to the soup idea probably manifested because it’s December and still 81 degrees outside, or because I didn’t have a “go-to” black bean soup recipe.  Although I love BB soup, order it at Panera quite a bit and have fixed it at home a couple of times, I have never been wowed with my own recipe.  Until now!

 

 

I did a quick Google search and found a great version from Epicurious.com.  I made a few changes and viola – a quick and delicious black bean soup emerged.  Served with yellow rice and a chunk of bread, I felt like I was sitting in the middle of our local Panera, minus the Christmas music playing in the background.  Try it today!

 

Black Bean Soup

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Ingredients:

1 onion, chopped

1 carrot, chopped

2 garlic cloves, chopped or pressed

1 t ground cumin (more if desired)

1 to 2 t of chopped jalapeno - optional  (with seeds=hotter, without=more mild)

2 15 oz cans of black beans, or one large can, undrained

1 15 oz can petite diced tomatoes in juice (I use garlic and olive oil)

1 1/2 C low-sodium chicken broth

--chopped green onions, salsa and sour cream for garnish

Heat oil in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add onion, carrot, and garlic; sauté until vegetables begin to soften, about 6 minutes.

 

 

Mix in cumin and 1 teaspoon jalapeño (if desired). Add beans, tomatoes with juice, and broth; bring soup to boil. Reduce heat to medium, cover, and cook until carrots are tender, about 15 minutes.

 

 

Transfer 3 cups of soup to blender and puree until smooth. Return puree to pot. Simmer soup until slightly thickened, about 15 minutes.

 

 

 

Season to taste with salt, pepper, and remaining 1 teaspoon jalapeño, if desired.

Ladle soup into bowls. Add desired amounts of green onions, salsa and sour cream

Other great toppings:  cilantro, feta cheese, sharp cheddar

Enjoy!