HappyCook80's Recipe

Chipotle Black Bean Soup

Category: Recipes

Chipotle Black Bean Soup

1/4 cup olive oil
2 cups chopped onions
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups peeled and diced carrots
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup chopped green bell peppers
3 cups cooked black beans, may substitute two 15 ounce cans, undrained
1/2 dried chipotle chili pepper or 1 canned chipotle in adobo sauce
14 ounce can tomatoes, undrained or 2 cups chopped fresh tomatoes
1/2 cup orange juice
1/2 cup water
salt and pepper to taste
sour cream and chopped cilantro for optional garnish

In a nonreactive soup pot over medium heat, heat the oil. Add the onions and garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until the onions are translucent, about 10 minutes. Add the carrots and cumin, reduce the heat to medium and cook, stirring frequently, for 3 minutes. Add the celery and bell peppers, reduce the heat to low, cover and cook for 10 minutes. Add the beans, chipotle chili pepper, tomatoes, orange juice and water and simmer, covered, for 20 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste. If you are not using canned beans, add 1/2 cup water or bean-cooking liquid; if you are using fresh tomatoes, simmer for an additional 5 minutes.

Ladle the soup into individual soup bowls and, if desired, garnish each serving with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkling of cilantro.
Serves 4 to 6.