The Coach Houses Black Bean Soup Food

THE COACH HOUSE'S BLACK BEAN SOUP

Steps:

• Wash beans in a colander. Put in a bowl. Cover with cold water and let soak overnight, refrigerated.
• Drain and wash again.
• In a large casserole, combine drained beans with the 3 quarts of water. Cover and simmer for 90 minutes.
• In a heavy kettle, saute bacon a few minutes, then add celery and onion and cook until tender. Do not brown.
• Add beef bones, ham shank, remaining herbs and vegetables and pepper. Add beans and their cooking liquid. Cover and simmer for 3-4 hours, until beans are very tender. Add more water if necessary.
• Remove bones and ham. Puree soup in a food mill. Return to pot, add Madeira and chopped eggs. Mix well and serve.

COACH HOUSE BLACK BEAN SOUP

Steps:

• Wash beans, cover with cold water and soak overnight. Drain & wash again.
• Place beans in a saucepan and add 2-1/2 quarts of fresh water. Cover and simmer 90 minutes.
• Cook bacon in a large heavy kettle for a few minutes. Add celery & onions and cook until tender; do not brown. Blend in flour and cook, stirring for 1 minute.
• Add ham and beef bones, parsley, bay leaves, garlic, carots, parsnips, salt & pepper and the beans with the cooking liquid. Cover and simmer over low heat, stirring occasionally, for 4 hours. Add more water if necessary.
• Remove bones and/or rind or hocks from the pot and set aside.
• Blend about 1/2 the soup in a blender (or use an immersion blender) and return it to the pot.
• Remove the meat from the bones or hocks, chop fine and return to the soup, discarding the bones.
• Add the wine.
• Top each serving with chopped eggs and float a slice of lemon on top, sprinkled with chopped parsley.
• Serve with additional Madeira to splash on top if desired.

BLACK BEAN SOUP

Steps:

• Put the bacon into a large heavy pot and place it 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 the garlic and cook until you can smell it, about 1 minute. Add the broth, tomatoes, ketchup, Worcestershire, and chili powder. Stir in the 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 thick stems from the cilantro. Wash it and shake dry. Chop the cilantro coarsely and stir it into the soup when it has been simmering 10 minutes. cook until the soup is thickened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the lime juice. Serve with the garnishes.

CONTEST-WINNING BLACK BEAN SOUP

Steps:

• In a small bowl, mash 1 can black beans; set aside. In a large saucepan, saute the celery, onion, red pepper and jalapeno in oil until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. , Stir in the broth, tomatoes, cumin, coriander, hot sauce, pepper, bay leaf, mashed black beans and remaining whole beans. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15 minutes. , Discard bay leaf. Stir in lime juice. Garnish each serving with 1 tablespoon sour cream and 1-1/2 teaspoons green onion.