Chipotle & Cumin Black Bean Soup

Earlier this week, I joined a handful of other Chicago cooks at the Hideout for the weekly winter Soup & Bread event. It was a full house and we helped to raise $400 for the Franciscan Outreach Mission through donations. Thank you to everyone who came out!

• Andrea of Forkable made Lamb and Black Bean Chili
• Joanna of My Vegetable Blog and the Kitchn made Smoky Red Lentil Soup with Dukkah
• Roommate's Kent made Potato Butternut Leek Soup
• Melissa of That's Not Lettuce and Vella Cafe made a Winter Vegetable Soup
• Rob, co-founder of Bloodshot Records, made a Spinach Risotto Soup
• Cleetus and Lorna of City Provisions made a Creamy Mushroom Soup with Crispy Pancetta
• I made a Chipotle & Cumin Black Bean Soup (recipe below). 

It was a delicious night. Check out the Soup & Bread cookbook and if you live in Chicago, be sure to stop by one of the upcoming Wednesday night events. A big thank you to Martha Bayne and the Hideout for continuing to organize events that benefit local and international organizations.

Chipotle & Cumin Black Bean Soup

Inspired by Bon Appetit

Ingredients

16 oz dried black beans, rinsed and picked over
Water
1 Tbl olive oil
2 red onions, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 yellow bell pepper, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
6 garlic cloves, minced
4 tsp ground cumin
2 canned chipotle chiles in adobo sauce, chopped*
Salt and black pepper
2 Tbl fresh lime juice
1/2 C sour cream (optional)
Cilantro (optional)

Method

In a large pot, bring the dried beans and 7 cups of water to
a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for about 2 to 2 1/2 hours, adding more water if
necessary. Cook until the beans are tender. Salt to taste (salting earlier will
cause the skins to toughen).**

In a second large pot, heat the oil over medium-high heat
and add the onion and bell peppers. Cook until tender and beginning to brown,
about 8 minutes. Add the garlic, cumin and chiles and cook for 1 minute. Add
the prepared beans. Cover and allow to simmer for about 20 minutes. Season to
taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Stir in the lime juice. Serve
with sour cream and cilantro to garnish.

*This soup is spicy. 
Reduce the chiles for a milder soup.

**Beans can be prepared a day or two ahead.  Allow to cool at room temperature and store
in an airtight container in the refrigerator. If you prefer to use canned
beans, substitute 7 to 8 cups. Do not drain.