Black Bean Soup With Cumin and Coriander

Studentchef's Note:

This was printed in the Montreal Gazette and can be found in Deborah Madison's Vegetable Soups. I think I'll try it some time soon.

• Total Time: 50 mins
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 40 mins

Ingredients:

Yield: 8 cups

• 3 tablespoons olive oil or 3 tablespoons sunflower oil
• 1 large onion , chopped
• 2 small carrots , chopped
• 3 celery ribs , chopped
• 1 green bell pepper , chopped
• 3 garlic cloves , minced
• 1 bunch fresh coriander , leaves and stems chopped separately
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 -2 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika (Spanish smoked paprika being preferred in this recipe)
• 2 bay leaves
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne
• 1 cup water
• 2 (19 ounce) cans black beans , draind
• ½ cup sour cream
• ½ lime, juice of

Directions:

1. Heat oil in medium heavy frying pan over medium high heat and cook onion, carrots, celery, green pepper, garlic, and coriander stems until onion begins to soften.
2. Season with salt, cumin, parika, bay leaves, and cayenne. Lower heat and cook ten minutes more, stirring occasionally and taking care paprika and cayenne do not burn.
3. Add water and continue to cook until onion is soft, about eight minutes. Stir in beans and all but 3 tablespoons of the chopped coriander leaves and heat, stirring occasionally, for about 15 minutes.
4. In a cup, combine sour cream, lime juice, and remaining chopped coriander leaves.
5. Serve soup hot in heated bowls, topping each serving with sour cream mixture.

Reviews

[Diann is Cooking]

I made a half-recipe and discovered at the last minute that I was lacking black beans per se, but I did have refried black beans... substituted them in. This was excellent! Otherwise followed recipe exactly (minus the fresh cilantro which my grocery was out of) -- the cilantro would have been a great additional touch. A good solid and tasty soup, and a portion will go with me to work for lunch this week. Made for veg'n swap May 2011.

[LifeIsGood]

Oh boy, did I love this soup. I cut my carrots and celery into slices and loved the added texture to the soup. The cayenne was a nice and welcome addition - just a hint of spice. The only thing I did differently was to add another cup of water as it was simmering. Thank you so much!

[Dreamer in Ontario]

This was a very flavourful soup. I feel that the sour cream/lime juice/cilantro mixture added the perfect final touch to the soup.Thank you.