Description
Hearty Mexican bean soup whisks home cooks on a comforting culinary journey through rich, smoky flavors of traditional Latin cuisine. Simmering with aromatic spices and tender beans, this soul-warming dish invites you to savor each spoonful of authentic, rustic deliciousness.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Beans:
- 1 pound (454 grams) dried navy beans (or a 15-bean mix)
Vegetables:
- 1 large onion, diced
- 2 carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 cups chopped kale or spinach (optional)
Liquid, Seasonings, and Additional Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 6 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
- 1 (14.5-ounce) (411 grams) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare dried beans by thoroughly rinsing under cold water, then submerge in a spacious container filled with water overnight. Drain and rinse beans completely before initiating cooking process.
- Warm olive oil in a substantial pot over moderate heat. Introduce chopped onions, carrots, and celery, allowing vegetables to soften and develop subtle caramelization. Incorporate minced garlic, stirring until aromatic notes emerge.
- Transfer pre-soaked beans into the vegetable-laden pot. Pour vegetable broth and tomatoes, ensuring liquid completely covers ingredients. Integrate bay leaves, dried thyme, and smoked paprika to infuse deep, complex flavors.
- Elevate heat until mixture reaches a rolling boil, then immediately reduce temperature to a gentle simmer. Cover pot and allow soup to slowly develop, periodically checking bean tenderness. Cooking duration typically ranges between 90-120 minutes.
- During final cooking stage, consider enriching soup with leafy greens like kale or spinach. Delicately fold greens into liquid, permitting them to gently wilt and integrate.
- Extract bay leaves carefully from finished soup. Calibrate seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper, ensuring balanced flavor profile. For a bright, zesty note, drizzle fresh lemon juice moments before serving.
- Portion soup into warm bowls, accompanied by crusty artisan bread for a satisfying, comforting meal.
Notes
- Soak beans thoroughly to reduce cooking time and improve digestibility, ensuring even softening and reducing potential gas-causing compounds.
- Choose fresh, firm vegetables for maximum flavor and nutritional value, cutting them uniformly to promote consistent cooking and appealing texture.
- Consider using a pressure cooker to dramatically reduce cooking time while maintaining the soup’s rich, deep flavors and preserving nutrients.
- Experiment with protein alternatives like smoked tofu or tempeh for vegetarian and vegan variations, keeping the hearty essence of the original recipe intact.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 37g
- Fiber: 10g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 0mg