Easy Black Bean Soup Recipe

This black bean soup recipe is very healthy. Black beans are high in fiber and protein and lower your cholesterol levels. If you want this soup to be vegan, substitute vegetable broth or water for the chicken broth. To spice this soup up you could add some chopped jalapenos or more Cayenne pepper. For less spice you can omit the Cayenne pepper.

1 pound of dry black beans

1 onion chopped fine

4 cloves of garlic chopped fine

1 teaspoon Cayenne pepper

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 tablespoon chili powder

½ teaspoon black pepper

6 cups chicken or vegetable broth

2 tablespoons olive oil

1. Soak beans over night.
2. Heat the olive oil in a large pot. Add the chopped onion and sauté over medium heat for about 3 minutes. Add the chopped garlic and continue to sauté another 3 minutes.
3. Add the rest of the ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for about two hours.
4. To thicken the soup, use a potato masher to mash some of the beans. You can also pour the soup into a blender and blend until smooth.

You can top the soup with chopped green onions, chopped tomatoes and sour cream. Shredded cheese is also good.