Mom's Black Bean Soup

Ingredients:

10 Slices of bacon, finely chopped
2 medium onions, chopped (about 2.5 cups)
6 garlic cloves, pressed
1 (14.5 oz. can) reduced sodium chicken broth
1.5 cups canned chopped tomatoes
2 Tbs. ketchup
2 tsp. worcestershire sauce
1 Tbs. Chili powder
4 (15.5 oz cans) Black beans, drained not rinsed
Kosher Salt and freshly ground pepper
1 bunch of cilantro
juice of 1/2 a lime
Thinly sliced scallions, for garnish
sour cream, for garnish
grated cheddar cheese, for garnish

Method:
Add bacon to large heavy pot over medium heat.  Cook until it starts to give up its fat, about 4 minutes.  Stir in the onions and cook, stirring until they start to turn translucent, about 4 minutes.  Stir in garlic and cook for about 45 seconds.  Add the broth, tomatoes, ketchup, worcestershire and chili powder.  Stir in beans, turn the heat to high and bring to a boil.  Adjust the heat so the soup is bubbling gently and cook 10 minutes.  Season with salt and pepper.

Meanwhile, pick off all the stem from the cilantro.  Wash it and shake dry.  Chop cilantro and stir it into the soup when it has been simmering 10 minutes.  Cook until soup is thickened, about 5 minutes. Stir in lime juice.  Serve with garnishes.

Tex-Mex Chicken Soup

Tex-Mex Chicken Bean Soup

Take a whole chicken with the skin on. Wash and remove "extras" that may be left inside of bird cavity. Put in large pot and put in just enough water or chicken stock to cover it. Add some salt, pepper, chicken/poultry seasoning, and 1 and a half Tablespoons of Tex-Mex Seasoning. (recipe will follow). Boil on low-med. for 3-4 hrs. covered. Remove chicken from pot and shred it. (You can also use frozen tenderloins, breasts, or whatever you have on hand.) To the flavored stock add:

handful of diced celery

2 chopped carrots

1 whole onion, chopped

1 jalapeno pepper, chopped and de-seeded

1 small can of diced tomatoes


Add back the shredded chicken and add 1/2 c. of rice. Continue on low boil until rice is fully cooked.

At the very end, add 2 cans of black beans that have been drained and 5 bouillon cubes.

You MUST garnish this with sour cream and shredded cheddar cheese or it won't be the same......ok???!!!!???!!!!


Tex-Mex Seasoning Mix

1/4 c. dried chili powder

4 t. paprika

2 t. salt

2 t. ginger

1 t. black pepper

1 t. cumin

1 t. onion powder

1 t. garlic powder

1/4 t. thyme

1/4 t. cayenne pepper


Mix all ingredients and store in airtight container.

**Also great on grilled meats, in chili, bbq sauces, soups, casseroles etc. ***

Minestrone Soup

1 lb. pork sausage
4 cups water
2 stalks of celery (diced)
2 large carrots (diced)
1 medium onion (diced)
1 (10oz)can beef broth
1 (10oz)can bean with bacon soup
1 (28oz)can diced tomatoes
1 Tbs. sugar
2 garlic cloves (minced)

Brown sausage in a large pot. Add remaining ingredients and stir together. Simmer uncovered over low heat for at least an hour. This soup is best if made a day in advance. It also freezes really well. I like to serve this with pasta dishes and parmesan breadsticks.