Santa Fe Black Bean Soup

Santa Fe Black Bean Soup Recipe - Mexican Cuisine

Region / culture: Mexico | Preparation time: 10 minutes | Cooking time: 1 hour | Servings: 6

Introduction

Santa Fe Black Bean Soup is a hearty and flavorful dish that is perfect for a cozy night in or a gathering with friends. This soup is packed with protein and fiber from the black beans, making it a nutritious and satisfying meal. The combination of spices and barbecue sauce gives this soup a unique and delicious flavor that will have you coming back for more.

History

Santa Fe Black Bean Soup is a popular dish in the southwestern United States, particularly in the city of Santa Fe, New Mexico. This soup is a fusion of traditional Mexican flavors with a touch of American barbecue sauce, creating a unique and delicious dish that is loved by many.

Ingredients

1 tbsp vegetable oil
1 medium yellow onion, diced into 0.25 inch pieces
1 stalk celery, diced into 0.25 inch pieces
1 tbsp minced garlic
1.5 tsp crushed red pepper
1.5 tbsp chicken base
1 tbsp chili powder
5 (15 oz (425 g)) cans black beans
0.75 cup bottled barbecue sauce
salt and white pepper, to taste

How to prepare

In a large stock pot, heat oil over medium heat.
Add onion, celery, and bacon bits, and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until the onion is translucent.
Add garlic, red pepper, chicken base, and chili powder, and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes to infuse flavor.
Add beans and barbecue sauce, and bring to a boil.
Reduce to a simmer and cook for 1 hour, stirring occasionally; add water if necessary to maintain consistency.
Season with salt and white pepper.

Variations

For a spicier soup, add more crushed red pepper or a diced jalapeno pepper.
Add diced tomatoes, corn, or bell peppers for additional flavor and texture.
For a vegetarian version, omit the chicken base and use vegetable broth instead.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

To add a smoky flavor to the soup, you can use smoked paprika or chipotle powder in place of regular chili powder.

- For a thicker soup, you can blend a portion of the soup in a blender or with an immersion blender before serving.

- Garnish the soup with fresh cilantro, avocado slices, and a dollop of sour cream for added flavor and texture.

Serving Suggestions

Serve Santa Fe Black Bean Soup with a side of cornbread or tortilla chips for a complete and satisfying meal. Top the soup with shredded cheese, diced avocado, and a squeeze of lime for added flavor.

Cooking Techniques

Sautéing the onions, celery, and spices before adding the beans and barbecue sauce helps to develop the flavors of the soup.

- Simmering the soup for an hour allows the flavors to meld together and creates a rich and flavorful broth.

Ingredient Substitutions

You can use vegetable broth in place of chicken base for a vegetarian version of this soup.

- If you don't have barbecue sauce on hand, you can use ketchup or tomato paste mixed with a bit of honey or molasses for a similar flavor.

Make Ahead Tips

Santa Fe Black Bean Soup can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat the soup on the stovetop or in the microwave before serving.

Presentation Ideas

Serve Santa Fe Black Bean Soup in individual bowls and garnish with a dollop of sour cream, fresh cilantro, and a sprinkle of shredded cheese. Serve with a side of cornbread or tortilla chips for a complete meal.

Pairing Recommendations

Santa Fe Black Bean Soup pairs well with a crisp green salad or a side of roasted vegetables. For a heartier meal, serve the soup with a side of grilled chicken or shrimp.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Store any leftover Santa Fe Black Bean Soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat the soup on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through.

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving

250

Carbohydrates

- Total Carbohydrates: 45g

- Dietary Fiber: 12g

- Sugars: 10g

Fats

- Total Fat: 3g

- Saturated Fat: 0.5g

- Trans Fat: 0g

Proteins

- Protein: 10g

Vitamins and minerals

Vitamin A: 10%

- Vitamin C: 6%

- Calcium: 6%

- Iron: 15%

Alergens

This recipe contains no common allergens such as nuts, dairy, or gluten.

Summary

Santa Fe Black Bean Soup is a nutritious and delicious dish that is high in fiber, protein, and essential vitamins and minerals. It is a healthy and satisfying meal option for vegetarians and meat-eaters alike.

Summary

Santa Fe Black Bean Soup is a delicious and nutritious dish that is perfect for a cozy night in or a gathering with friends. Packed with protein, fiber, and essential vitamins and minerals, this soup is a healthy and satisfying meal option for vegetarians and meat-eaters alike. Serve with a side of cornbread or tortilla chips for a complete and delicious meal.

How did I get this recipe?

I remember the sense of wonder I felt when I first saw this recipe for Santa Fe Black Bean Soup. It was many years ago, when I was just a young girl living in a small town in New Mexico. My mother had a friend who was a fantastic cook, and she would often come over to our house to share her delicious recipes with us.

One day, she arrived with a big pot of steaming black bean soup that smelled so incredible, I couldn't wait to dig in. As I took my first spoonful, I was blown away by the flavors – the smoky cumin, the spicy jalapeños, the rich black beans. It was unlike anything I had ever tasted before.

I begged my mother's friend to teach me how to make the soup, and she agreed. We spent the entire afternoon in the kitchen, chopping vegetables, simmering beans, and stirring in spices. As the soup bubbled away on the stove, she told me stories of her own grandmother, who had passed down the recipe to her many years ago.

She explained how the soup had originated in the bustling markets of Santa Fe, where vendors would sell steaming bowls of black bean soup to hungry shoppers. It was a simple and hearty dish, meant to warm the soul on cold winter days.

As we sat down to eat, I couldn't believe that I had helped create something so delicious. From that day on, I was hooked on cooking, and I vowed to learn as many recipes as I could from my mother's friend.

Over the years, I gathered recipes from all sorts of places and people – from cookbooks, from cooking classes, from friends and family. But the Santa Fe Black Bean Soup always held a special place in my heart. It was the first recipe that had sparked my love of cooking, and I made it often, tweaking and perfecting it with each batch.

As I grew older and had children of my own, I passed down the recipe to them, just as my mother's friend had passed it down to me. It became a staple in our household, a dish that we would all crave on cold winter nights.

Now, as a grandmother myself, I love making the Santa Fe Black Bean Soup for my own grandchildren. They gather around the kitchen, eager to help chop vegetables and stir the pot. I see the same sense of wonder in their eyes that I had felt all those years ago, and it warms my heart to know that the tradition will continue on for generations to come.

The recipe for Santa Fe Black Bean Soup is more than just a dish to me – it's a piece of my history, a connection to the past, a way to share my love of cooking with those I hold dear. And as I watch my grandchildren slurp up their bowls of soup with smiles on their faces, I know that I have truly succeeded in passing down a piece of myself to the next generation.