I picked up this recipe from USA weekender which comes with Newspaper. Start with canned beans, prepared salsa, herbs, spices and blender, And a yummy soup is minutes away. I have tried two of the following soup (A & C). Don’t skip suggested garnish as they provide needed twist to soup.
A) Black Bean Soup with Salsa Verde
2 15.5 – ouce cans black beans, drained
11/2 cup water or vegetable broth
1 cup prepared Salsa of your choice
¼ cup packed cilantro leaves, plus extra sprigs for garnish
1 tsp ground cumin
Garnishes: ¼ cup crumbled tortilla chips & ¼ cup sour cream
Puree all ingredients except garnishes in a blender until smooth. Pour into a large saucepan and bring to a simmer. Simmer partially covered and stirring frequently, to blend flavors, 5 to 7 min. Server, garnishing each portion with 1 Tb. of tortilla chip, 1 Tb. of sour cream and cilantro.
B) White Bean Soup with Rosemary, Basil and Quick Garlic Croutons
2 16-ounce cans white beans, drained
2 cups water or vegetable broth
1 cup Marinara pasta sauce of your choice
2 large Garlic Cloves, minced
¼ cup packed fresh basil leaves or 1 tsp dried basil leaves
1 tsp. minced fresh rosemary
¼ tsp. red pepper flakes
Garnishes: Quick Garlic Croutons
Puree all ingredients except garnishes in a blender until smooth. Pour into a large saucepan and bring to a simmer. Simmer partially covered and stirring frequently, to blend flavors, 4 to 5 min. Server, garnishing with croutons.
C) Chickpea Soup with Gram Masala and Cilantro
2 16-ounces cans chickpeas, drained
1 14-ounce can light coconut milk
1 cup water or vegetable broth
½ cup prepared salsa
11/2 tsp.. Garam Masala
1 tsp. ground ginger
2 Tbs frozen apple juice concentrate (I didn’t use this)
¼ cup packed cilantro leaves
Garnishes: ¼ cup plain yogurt & ¼ cup thinly sliced green onions
Puree all ingredients except garnishes in a blender until smooth. Pour into a large saucepan and bring to a simmer. Simmer partially covered and stirring frequently, to blend flavors, 4 to 5 min. Server, garnishing each portion with 1 Tb. of yogurt, 1 Tb. of green onions.
The recipes look yummy, waiting to try them out. Some questions –
1. Did you use water or vegetable broth?
2. Can you substitute readymade salsa instead of a prepared salsa?
1. I used water. Actually recipe had chicken broth but I replaced it with veg. broth here
2. Yes readymade salsa. I used the hot one.
I tried the black bean soup with water and readymade salsa. I put some extra salsa. It is yummy and quick to make.