Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Simple Black Bean Soup

Simple Black Bean Soup

Just because a dish is simple doesn't mean it's not worthy of being called fantastic. Simple meals are often the most satisfying.  


What else is simple?

  • Cherishing your relationships. 
  • Loving yourself. 
  • Doing "good," in small or big ways. Smile genuinely at a total stranger who looks like they are having a bad day.  Volunteer and change a life.

When all of the above feels complicated, start from scratch.  A warm bowl of black bean soup to "do good" for your body.

While you eat, enjoy the simplicity of it and remember how lucky you are to have a hot bowl of soup this season.  Simply put, it's one of life's small pleasures.


Simple Black Bean Soup with Garnish

Simple Black Bean Soup
Makes enough for about 4 servings.


This is quick to prepare, hearty, filling and healthy. It's also very easy to improvise, making it great for a weeknight dinner or a weekend lunch.  Love heat? Kick up the chili powder and add some hot sauce.  Want to round out the meal?  Serve with a salad and some corn muffins.  
1/2 red onion, peeled and diced
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 carrot, peeled and diced
1 stalk of celery, diced
1 red pepper, diced
2 cups (400 grams) black beans, drained
2 cups (400 grams) chopped tomatoes (I used a 14 ounce can.)
1/2 cup (118 ml) chicken broth, vegetable broth or water
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1 bay leaf
Cilantro, avocado, sour cream or even grated cheese for garnish (optional, but encouraged)

In a medium soup pot, saute the onion, garlic, carrot, celery, red pepper for about 5 minutes.
Add the black beans, tomatoes, broth and spices.
Simmer for 30 minutes, remove bay leaf, then garnish and serve.

11 comments:

  1. This post was genuine...like all of your posts. I can't help but smile. You speak a simple truth.

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  2. Tracy, I don't know what it is about the rain these days. It's washing away all the garbage and bringing up a lot of truth...

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  3. What a beautiful post, Nicole! I love it. I could picture your big smile as I was reading it. And I have been craving a black bean soup...I'll use this recipe this week. I like the addition of carrots! xoxox

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  4. Excellent reminders of the good simple things that are right in front of us. I was just feeling a little low, reading too many depressing books and short stories... Thank you for sending me a smile.

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  5. totally agree and a bowl of that bean soup made in a loving and (clean) kitchen would be all that I needed to be happy for a while.

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  6. Being thankful for the good and small things in our lives is always a mood booster.

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  7. Nicole...in fact I would almost rephrase your first sentence -"Just because a dish is simple doesn't mean it's not worthy of being called fantastic" to say "because a dish is simple it is worthy of being called fantastic!". The more I "grow up" the more I gravitate to simple dishes and simpler truths.

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  8. I love black bean soups, and this looks perfect.

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  9. Simplicity, gratitude and delicious soup - the perfect recipe, especially on those rainy nights...

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  10. black bean soup is totally my detox food after a season of holiday eats (or a cookie swap of holiday cookies :P). This version sounds delicious! A definite need-to-try!

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  11. Beautiful and heartwarming! Perfect for the winter!

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