Tasty Black Bean Soup

I was in desperate need of some comfort food tonight. I have been seeing a lot of different black bean soup recipes floating around and after reading a few and checking to see what we had in our cupboards I came up with this one and it hit the spot. It was packed with flavor, different textures, filled with nutrients and was very filling. I can't wait to make it again! 

Black Bean Soup

Ingredients:

• 3 15-Ounce cans of black beans - I use reduced sodium - drained and rinsed
• 1 15-Ounce can of corn
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 1 heaping cup of match stick carrots
• 1/2 onion chopped
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 tablespoons oat bran (optional - added for thickness - could use oat flour)
• 1 tablespoon cumin 
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 tablespoon dried cilantro (can do 1/4 - 1/2 cup fresh - finely chopped)
• 1 teaspoon garlic salt
• 1 teaspoon onion salt
• 1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon of minced garlic (fresh or canned)
• salt and pepper to taste
• chopped fresh tomatoes, spinach and salsa to garnish

What you do:

• In a medium saucepan add olive oil and onion - saute for 5 minutes over medium heat or until translucent.
• Add cumin, minced garlic, chili powder, onion and garlic salt, and cilantro - stirring continuously.
• Add black beans - coat with oil and seasonings.
• Stir in Carrots to mixture. 

• Pour in Vegetable broth - turn heat up and bring to a boil. 
• Add oat bran/flour. 
• Boil for 3 minutes - reduce heat to a medium simmer for 15 minutes.
• Using a potato masher - work through the soup trying to mash at least half of the beans and cutting the carrots in to smaller pieces. This is to add thickness to the soup, mash until it is to a consistency you like.
• Stir in corn and lemon juice and leave to simmer 5 more minutes. 
• Serve immediately or let cool. I put chopped tomatoes on mine, paired each bite with some fresh spinach and after taking pictures added a few tablespoons of fresh salsa. It was so delicous!

Enjoy! And please leave me feedback if you try one of my recipes! 

XOXOXO