Bean Soup with Guacamole Salsa & Corn chips

Photo & Recipe from here

This winter we have been eating quite a lot of this delicious soup so I thought I would share the recipe.
We use Black beans instead of kidney beans but it would be delicious either way.

Ingredients serve a generous 6

Don't be put off with the soaking of the beans because it really is worth it and although it looks like there is quite a lot to do, it is really quite easy.

Soup

1 pound dried Black Beans (Black Turtle Beans) or red kidney beans

2 onions (chopped)

2 garlic cloves (chopped)

1 jalapeno (diced) *optional

1 14oz can chopped tomatoes

1 Tablespoon cumin

1/4 tsp paprika

1/2 tsp dried oregano

4 cups water or vegetable stock

salt & pepper

Guacamole Salsa

2 avocado's

1 small onion

1 Tablespoon cilantro (chopped)

Juice from 1 lime

Greek or Natural Yoghurt *optional

Soak the dried beans overnight in cold water using approx 3 cups per cup of beans.  

When ready to cook, drain the beans and rinse well.  Put them in a large pot and cover with fresh water (approx 1 to 2 inches above the beans).

Bring the beans to boil then simmer for approx 1 hour or until they are tender.  If you find a lot of foam forms on the top just skim off with a spoon.

When cooked, let them cool and then strain.  (You can save this to add to soup later)

Add oil to a large pan and add onions.  Stir until soft and translucent (approx 10 mins).  Add pepper & garlic and cook for another minute.

Add all the spices and stir well to combine.  Add beans, chopped tomatoes and tomato paste, stir well.  Cook for a further minute or two.

Add liquid to the pot (you can add the water from the simmered beans here), stir and let simmer for 30 mins.  Remove from heat.

Blend until smooth and return to heat.  Leave to simmer for a further couple of minutes.  Add salt & pepper to taste.

Guacamole

Scoop out avocado and mash.  Add finely chopped onion, cilantro and lime juice.  Add Greek Yoghurt to taste.  Mix well or put in a blender for a smoother mixture.

Serve soup with Guacamole and corn chips.