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You are here: Home / beans / Southwestern Black Bean Soup: It Isn’t Super Healthy, But It Sure Is Tasty!

Southwestern Black Bean Soup: It Isn’t Super Healthy, But It Sure Is Tasty!

September 12, 2008 By Laura 5 Comments

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The first time I tried Dave Lieberman’s Black Bean Soup, I was full of trepidation. There is just something about using canned beans with their liquid that really icks me out. But I forged ahead anyway–I don’t remember why now–and was floored. It was really, really good–but of course it was with all that bacon!

For this time around, I had no interest in lightening the recipe (I love bacon and it really makes this soup), but I did want to get away from the canned beans. So, although I used Liberman’s recipe for everything else, I made the beans myself, as directed below. It was wonderful. If I had had time to go shopping, I would have piled it high with tortilla strips, chopped chives or green onions, cilantro, sour cream and cheese. As it is it was plenty good with just the sour cream and Monterey Jack cheese I had already in the fridge.

This soup is my submission to Sticky, Gooey, Creamy, Chewy‘s Blogiversary Bash. I think soups with garnishes make excellent party food–just set out the big pot’o’soup and then provide lots of accompaniments (lots more than I provided for my own family, frankly). It scores extra points for being both easy (who wants to work so much as a hostess?), it can be made-ahead, AND it is decadent with all of that bacon.

One exciting additional note about the soup: I made it with my mom’s homegrown dried black beans. Yes you read that right. Who knew you could grow black beans in central Ohio? It’s been such a success she promises she is growing more next year. I want her to start growing some of the funkier heirloom beans! And boy these cooked fast thanks to being so fresh!

Homemade Beans For Lieberman’s Black Bean Soup

1 lb (I used 12 oz because that was all my mom gave me) dried black beans
1 bottle lager
1 small onion, chopped
3-4 cloves garlic, minced
1-2 T-sized chunk of freshly rendered roasty lard (not that processed white junk they sell in a box)
water to cover beans by at least 2 inches
salt to taste

Place all of the ingredients EXCEPT THE SALT in a medium large heavy pot. Bring to a boil and let boil gently for 5 minutes. Reduce the heat to low and cover, with the lid slightly askew. Check after 15 minutes to make sure it is very gently simmering. Check after 2 hours to make sure the beans are still covered by water (add some more if not). If it looks like they could be close to done, taste them to find out. Check every 30-60 minutes (for fresher beans, check more often) thereafter for the same issues (water and doneness). When they are tender and creamy, add salt to taste* and let them simmer another 10 minutes. Set aside to add to the soup.

*Be aware of the rest of your ingredients in the soup when salting the beans. For example, if you are using a commercial stock, I would under-salt the beans, in case the stock brings enough salt. If you are using homemade, salt as you would normally.

Filed Under: beans, soup, stews

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Comments

  1. noble pig says

    September 13, 2008 at 12:08 am

    Yummy, yummy…the bacon, oh my.

    Reply
  2. That Girl says

    September 13, 2008 at 1:25 am

    I dunno, it doesn’t look THAT unhealthy to me (says the girl who ate popcorn for dinner tonight)

    Reply
  3. Grace says

    September 14, 2008 at 4:58 am

    as much as i adore black beans, i’ve never known anyone who grew their own–kudos to your ma!
    this soup looks fabulous, and eat bowl after bowl regardless of the repercussions to come later… 🙂

    Reply
  4. StickyGooeyCreamyChewy says

    September 15, 2008 at 7:58 am

    That soup looks wonderful, Laura! Thanks so much for bringing it to the party! I love black bean soup and I am so impressed that you used hone grown beans. Your mom must have quite a green thumb!

    Reply
  5. Amy says

    September 17, 2008 at 9:50 pm

    AWESOME that your mom grew the beans.

    Reply

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Hi! I’m Laura and I am a recovering history major who has re-channeled all of my passion for learning about the history of different countries to learning about their food culture. That doesn’t mean every dish on here is strictly authentic, but it does mean that even my adaptations are not undertaken lightly. My goal is to show you–by doing–that these dishes are possible in your kitchen. Including desserts because I have quite the sweet tooth! Read More…

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