HEARTY BLACK BEAN SOUP

Recipe By : Maurice

Serving Size : 5 Preparation Time :0:45

Categories : Microwave Soups & Stews

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method

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2 tablespoons oil

3 medium onions -- chopped

4 cloves garlic -- minced

16 ounces dried black beans (frijoles negros) -- soaked overnight

1 tablespoon fresh oregano -- finely chopped

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin -- or to taste

1/2 teaspoon fresh thyme -- finely chopped

1 bay leaf

2 cups cubed ham -- cooked

2 cups chicken stock

1/4 cup dry sherry

16 ounces canned whole tomatoes -- drained & chopped

1/4 cup fresh tomatoes -- peeled and chopped

salt and freshly ground pepper -- to taste

ACCOMPANIMENTS:

fresh lime or lemon wedges

sour cream

radishes -- thinly sliced

green onions -- sliced

cilantro leaves

chile salsa

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1. In a wide-bottomed, large saucepan over medium heat, heat oil. Add

onions and cook until soft, 3 to 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 minute

longer.

2. Stir in beans, oregano, cumin, thyme, bay leaf, ham, stock, sherry, and

tomatoes.

3. Increase heat and bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer,

uncovered, about 30 minutes. Season to taste with salt, if necessary, and

pepper.

4. Serve soup with your choice of accompaniments, or cool to room

temperature and refrigerate or freeze.

Makes about 7 cups.

* Timesaver Tip: Soup can be made up to 2 days ahead, covered, and

refrigerated, or it can be frozen. To freeze, spoon soup into one large or

several smaller individual freezer containers. Cover, label, and freeze at

0 degrees F up to 1 month. To serve, defrost soup 15 to 20 minutes on

Defrost setting of microwave, or thaw in refrigerator 8 to 24 hours.

Gently warm soup in a saucepan or microwave at 50% power until it is

warmed through. Stir several times both during defrosting and during

reheating.

Microwave Version

Put oil in a 2-quart casserole and microwave on 70% power 45 seconds. Add

onions and microwave another 3 minutes, until onions are soft. Add garlic

and microwave a minute longer. Complete step 2 as directed above. Cover

casserole with waxed paper or loosely

with plastic wrap and microwave, still on 70% power, 30 minutes. Season to

taste and proceed with step 4 as directed above. Preparation time and

timesaver tip same as above.

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Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 338 Calories; 12g Fat (33.2%

calories from fat); 20g Protein; 35g Carbohydrate; 10g Dietary Fiber; 31mg

Cholesterol; 1710mg Sodium. Exchanges: 1 1/2 Grain(Starch); 2 Lean Meat;

2 Vegetable; 1 1/2 Fat.

NOTES : This sturdy soup contains ham and tomatoes in addition to the

beans, plus savory herbs and an enlivening touch of sherry. Add

crusty rolls, a salad of fresh greens, and a beverage, and you

have a meal.