A simple soup with traditional cuban flavours including a splash of rum. Soup is amazing the next day reheated.
Course: Soup
Servings: 6-8
Author: Trish Cowper
Ingredients
2cupsdried black beanssoaked overnight
2litres stock or wateror enough liquid to cover the beans by at least 1 inch
2bay leaves
1jalapeno pepperdiced and seeds removed
2tablespoonsolive oildivided (used in batches to sauté your veggies, use as much olive oil as you feel necessary)
2large green peppers diced
3large onions diced –plus tissues for your tears
1teaspooncumin
half a head of garlicpressed or finely chopped
3-4tablespoonsgood quality rum
salt to taste
toppings
more chopped onions and cooked rice
chopped diced fresh red tomatoescilantro and avocado
cheesesalsa, sour cream and corn chips
Instructions
Preparing the beans: pick through the dried beans and rinse under cold water. Place in a medium-sized bowl and cover with water by a few inches and leave to sit overnight. Drain water in the morning and continue with recipe as follows. Alternatively, you can use the quick soak method and throw cleaned beans into a pot and cover with water by a few inches, bring to a rapid boil and boil for 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and let sit for 1 hour. One more option, 4 19oz cans of black beans.
Place prepared beans in soup pot and cover with stock and / or water, bay leaves and jalapeno pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to minimum and simmer on very low heat, partly covered, until beans are completely soft. About 1-½ hours.
While beans cooking prepare the vegetables. In a medium sauté pan heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil and sauté green peppers and onions in two or three batches, adding oil between batches as necessary. Add cumin and garlic to a batch of the green peppers and onions while they sauté.
Once beans are tender, but not mushy, add cooked vegetables to beans, add rum and allow the soup to cook for another 30-40 minutes, or until the beans are mushy soft and flavours are well blended. Mash a few beans with a potato masher or the back of your soup if needed to thicken the soup. Add salt to taste and serve.