I have an aversion to bean soups. Or rather they have an aversion to me. I love the taste, but I suffer with digestive aftermath. So I set out to figure a soup that would change the course of those events. People that know me say I modify or "doctor up" every recipe I find. In this case, I took about 5 different variations and made them my own. Trust me, the taste is so heavenly and you won't regret it.
BLACK TURTLE BEAN SOUP
1. 1 Bag of Aromatica Organic Black Turtle Beans ( dry )emptied and soaked overnite in cold water 6-9 hours.
2. Drain the old water and rinse a few times.
3. Pour beans in a big pot with fresh cold water- cover beans. I use a large enameled cast iron pot.
4. Bring to boil- won't take long and then drain again.
5. Pour boiled beans in a bowl and set aside.
6. Olive oil and 1 Tbs. butter in cast iron pot heated up.
7. Saute' 2 cloves of garlic whole, 1 chopped onion,1 finely chopped raw carrot, 4 chopped stalks of celery, 3 dried red chili's, 1 sweet red bell pepper chopped, 1 chopped fresh jalapeno seeds removed, 1 chipotle chili, a healthy dash of ancho powder(achiote), lemon zest and orange zest and juice of 1/4 orange, herbs of choice: I used oregano, basil, coriander, parsely, cilantro, fennel seeds and mustard seeds( found in the East Indian store), about 3/4-1 cup of frozen organic corn. Let all that sweat while sauteeing. If you like cumin, which I don't, go for it.
8. Add 6 cups of water. I added about a cup of homemade chick broth I had as well.
9. Add beans and bring to boil. Make sure water covers beans.
10. Skim off any foam that builds from the boiling. I didn't have much.
11. Now reduce to a simmer, cover the pot and time it. You will be cooking it with occasional stirs for about 2-3 hours.
12. Last 30 min: add 2 Tbs. sherry, 1 Tbs. brown sugar ( optional), juice of one lemon, and if you have handy, some leftover chopped ham. I only used about 1/2 cup.
NOTICE I DID NOT SALT WHICH HARDENS THE BEANS.
I added salt at the end for taste. And I actually simmered it for 4 hours just to make sure the beans were thoroughly cooked down.
Last measure: puree with the hand blender, pour into bowls with a spring of cilantro and a dollop of sour cream if you are not dairy sensitive.
Serve with heated up Trader Joes Spelt rolls ( in freezer) if you are not spelt sensitive. A salad and you are good to go.
A soup to remember.
