Hearty Black Bean Chowder - Crock Pot

Brooke the Cook in WI's Note:

I'm not really sure what makes a chowder a chowder, but this is thicker than soup and not as thick as stew.... so I'm calling it a chowder. Throw it all together and 8 hours later, it's done!

• Total Time: 8 hrs 10 mins
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 8 hrs

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

• 1 medium onion , diced
• 1 (15 ounce) can black beans , do not rinse, drain
• 1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 1 cup frozen corn
• 1 (14 ounce) can fat-free refried beans (the hot ones if you like spicy)
• 1 cup fat free chicken broth (or vegetable broth for vegetarian's)
• 3 tablespoons taco seasoning
• ½-1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• ¼ cup fresh cilantro , chopped (optional)
• 6 tablespoons nonfat sour cream (optional)

Directions:

1. Combine everything EXCEPT cilantro and sour cream in crock-pot.
2. Cook on low for 8-9 hours. I like to turn crock-pot to high the last 20-30 minutes to allow soup to thicken.
3. If using, top with 1 tablespoon of sour cream and sprinkle with cilantro.

Reviews

[Starrynews]

Great dish! I added some minced garlic and chopped jalapeno pepper. It was very enjoyable. We also tried the leftovers over some leftover rice, and that was a great combo too. Thanks for sharing!

[Three Kids Make Me Crazy]

This was quick and easy, kids loved it. Instead of doing the crock pot I simmered it over medium heat on the stove. I didn't taste it, the three of them ate it all (they only weigh 110 lbs combined!) so it must have been really good. Thanks so much for a kid pleaser! I am a Marine wife, and when he's gone some nights it just seems like so much work to come up with dinners that make everyone happy!

[Andi of Longmeadow Farm]

This is exactly what I needed today to make something so easy and so good that stopping off at a Chinese pick-up would of been harder and not as tasty as this. I followed this pretty much as close to the recipe as I could get. The only small changes I made was 1) instead of a can of diced tomatoes, mine had some zesty jalapeno's in them 2) and added some pre-cooked grilled chicken breasts - shredded. 3) Instead of frozen corn, I had a can of white corn with chipolte by *Jolly Green Giant* There was and there is no need to change anything ~ it's perfection plus! Great recipe that I will make again! Made for *Everyday is a Holiday* April 2010