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Spicy Black-Bean Soup

4.1

(39)

This homey soup—a piquant start to a satisfying Mexican-style dinner of tacos or enchiladas, or a main dish when paired with a grilled cheese sandwich and a salad—gets its fire from a chopped jalapeño.

Recipe information

  • Total Time

    35 min

  • Yield

    Serves 6 (first course or light main course)

Ingredients

2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 medium white onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 fresh jalapeño (2 inches), seeded and minced
1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
1 1/4 teaspoons ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
2 (19-ounces) cans black beans, drained and rinsed
3 cups water
1 Turkish or 1/2 California bay leaf
Accompaniments: chopped cilantro; lime wedges; chopped white onion

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Heat oil in a 4-to 5-quart heavy pot over medium-high heat until it shimmers, then sauté onion, garlic, and jalapeño with chili powder, cumin, oregano, and 1/2 teaspoon salt until onion is beginning to brown, 6 to 8 minutes. Add beans, water, and bay leaf and simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, until soup has thickened slightly, about 15 minutes.

    Step 2

    Transfer about 2 cups soup to a blender and purée (use caution when blending hot liquids). Return to pot and reheat over medium-low heat, stirring frequently. Discard bay leaf. Season with salt.

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