For a hearty soup with woody background notes, serve up my Smoky Black Bean Soup. The ham hocks are a flavorful chunky addition. Bring on the toppings!
Course Soup
Cuisine American
Keyword Smoky Black Bean Soup
Prep Time 10 minutesminutes
Cook Time 1 hourhour
Total Time 1 hourhour10 minutesminutes
Servings 6
Calories 250kcal
Author Kathleen
Ingredients
1PoundBag Dried Black Beans
2TablespoonsOlive Oil
1Large Yellow OnionChopped
1Large Red Bell PepperChopped
2Celery StalksChopped
1JalapenoFinely Chopped
4-6Garlic ClovesMinced
1 1/2TablespoonsDried Ground Cumin
1TablespoonDried Oregano
4CupsWater
2CupsStong Brewed Coffee
1Meaty Large Ham Hock
3Bay Leaves
2 1/2TeaspoonsSaltor More as Needed
1/2TeaspoonBlack Pepper
1CupFor Garnish CilantroChopped
6TablespoonsGreek Yogurt
Instructions
Pick over beans; rinse well. Place in a large bowl with cold water to cover by 2 inches. Let soak for at least 6 hours or overnight. (Or use the quick-soak method: Cover the beans with 2 inches of water and bring to a boil; simmer 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and let stand, covered, for 1 hour.) Drain.
Heat oil in a soup pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add onion, bell pepper, celery, jalapeño and garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until the vegetables are beginning to brown, 5 to 8 minutes. Add cumin and oregano and cook, stirring, 1 minute more. Add the beans, water, coffee, ham hock and bay leaf; cover and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Skim off any foam that rises to the top, reduce the heat, cover and simmer until the beans are very tender, 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours. Remove the ham hock and set it aside to cool; remove the bay leaf. Stir in salt.
Puree about half of the soup in a blender or food processor until fairly smooth. (Use caution when pureeing hot liquids.) Return the pureed soup to the pot and heat through. Cut meat off the ham hock, trim away any fat and chop the meat into small pieces; stir back into the soup.
Serve the soup garnished with the reserved chopped onion, a dollop of sour cream (or yogurt) and cilantro if desired.