Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Black Bean Vegetable Soup

Having soup on the menu always gives me a lot of satisfaction especially if the soup is hearty, healthy and low fat. So even when I eat out, I often find myself ordering soups. My last couple of visits to Panera Bread I knew even before I went in, what I was going to order, their cumin flavored black bean soup.I tried it once and was immediately hooked on to it. Surprisingly for me, R who is not a very bean soup kind of person also took to this soup a lot and has been wanting to have it at home too.

I can never resist an invitation to cook something healthy and protein filled.So inspired by Panera bread's Black bean soup I set about recreating its taste at home. The major deviation I made, I added a lot of vegetables to the soup making it even more hearty. I guessed at the ingredients and did not follow any particular recipe to make this soup. We thoroughly enjoyed this soup with some crusty bread and this soup is definitely going to make regular appearances in my menu :-)

Black bean soup 3

Click here for a printable view of this recipe

 Ingredients and Method to make Black Bean Vegetable Soups

1 1/4 cup black beans soaked overnight in sufficient water with a pinch of soda (the soda is optional)
3 medium onions cut into little pieces
3 large carrots cut into 1/2 inch pieces
1/2 can diced tomatoes (approximately 200 gms)
4 stalks celery cut into little pieces
4 cups of water or vegetable broth
salt to taste
1/2 tsp minced garlic
1 1/2 tsp red chili powder (or according to taste)
4 tsp cumin powder
2 tbsp oil

Drain the water that the black beans were soaked in, place in a container with water about 1/2 an inch or 3/4 of an inch above the beans, place container in pressure cooker and cook until beans are soft but not mushy (for me it took about 4 whistles in the pressure cooker). Keep the cooked beans with any remaining liquid aside .

Alternatively place the black beans in a large heavy bottomed pan with sufficient water and let it cook on a stove top until the beans are soft but not mushy. Keep adding water and stirring occasionally during this process. Keep the cooked beans along with the balance liquid aside

Heat oil in a large heavy bottomed pan, add onions and saute until onions turn transparent. Add minced garlic and stir for a few seconds.

Add diced tomatoes and saute it until the tomatoes become a little soft. Add the cumin powder, chili powder and stir a few times.

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Then add chopped carrots, celery, salt to taste and water or broth and allow the vegetables to cook until they are still a bit firm and not too soft and mushy.

Add black beans and allow the entire mixture to simmer for about 20 to 30 mins on a low flame.Adjust water if required at this point to achieve required consistency.

Remove from heat and serve hot with a crusty bread, or croutons or just plain bread too.

Serves approximately 3-4


This soup is off to the Healthy Inspirations Event- Soups being hosted by me


29 comments :

FH said...

I love the taste of Black beans, I made Burger once with those. Soup looks delicious.Great entry.

Mangala Bhat said...

wow! great entry very helathy!

Unknown said...

Thick and creamy soup!

Devasena Hariharan said...

rich soup! Why baking soda

Poornima Nair said...

Looks delicious!!

Rachana said...

A very comforting and healthy Soup. Apt for the weather...Its snowing here:)

TREAT AND TRICK said...

It's quite new to me but looks yummy. Shall give it a try...

Veggie Hut said...

I am looking forward to trying this.. thanks for sharing!

Preeti Kashyap said...

Lovely recipe! I was just thinking a few days back about how to use my black beans! Thanks a lot for this recipe. This pic looks inviting too!

Indhu said...

I love Panera soups... and also their sandwich... and their coffee... ok... I will stop!
like the soup and like that you added more vegetables :)

Renuka Bedre - Rao said...

Black beans are favorite at my home..got to try this soup..so healthy!

simplyfood said...

Lovely soup ,looks healthy nad delicious.

kitchen queen said...

A healthy,appetising and refreshing soup.

Priya Suresh said...

Such a healthy soup, looks delicious..

Anonymous said...

its raining soups isnt it? yum!

Pam said...

I love black bean soup - this looks healthy and delicious.

Gita Jaishankar said...

Thats a warm and comforting soup Usha..we too love Panera Bread black bean soup...I have also posted my version in my blog :)

Unknown said...

nice healthy one again...filling too..

Nandinis food said...

Healthy and comforting soup!

roma said...

The Soup looks healthy and delicious.

Unknown said...

Lovely recipe...

Valarmathi Sanjeev said...

Healthy and yummy soup, looks delicious.

Finla said...

Wow i have nev rhad this but i can imagine how flavourfull and delcious it is. A big bowl for me please as it is freezing cold here.

Vaishali said...

Black beans have got to be my favorite beans, after chickpeas, and I think they add such a robust, special flavor to anything, and especially soups. Your soup recipe had my mouth watering-- I remember the one at Panera Bread.

Parita said...

soup looks healthy and delicious!

Dershana said...

that sure looks like a creamy, hearty meal idea!

Myvegfare said...

Soup looks great!, I have been making quite a lot of soup these days, I will try this one too! and I will try to post one or two to your event!!

ruchikacooks said...

Oh! yummy yummy, I lov black beans in anything, rice or soup..Must try soon..

Urmi said...

Soup looks delicious, creamy, yummy and tempting. Thanks for this lovely recipe.

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