SPANISH BEAN SOUP
Author: Tag Sale Tastes
Ingredients
  • 1 pound Alubia de Tolosa or black beans
  • 1 cup finely chopped onion
  • 1 cup finely chopped green bell pepper
  • ¼ cup tomato paste
  • ½ cup red wine
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 cup chopped smoked ham
  • 4 bay leaves
  • ¼ cup butter
  • Salt, to taste
  • Optional garnish -- sour cream, chopped cilantro, pickled jalapenos, chopped onion
Instructions
  1. Wash and pick over beans. Place in a large stockpot and cover with two inches of water. Bring to a boil, then remove from heat and let soak, covered, for two hours. Drain beans.
  2. Return soaked beans to pot and add 8 cups of water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer covered until tender, approximately 1-1/4 hours. Add onion, bell pepper, tomato paste, wine, cumin, black pepper, ham, bay leaves, and butter. Season to taste with salt. Continue simmering until soup thickens and vegetables are tender. Remove bay leaves and discard.
  3. Remove about 2 cups beans and set aside. Coarsely puree remaining soup using a food processor or stick blender. Return pureed soup to pot and add beans back in. Ladle into bowls and garnish as desired. Serve hot.
Recipe by Tag Sale Tastes at https://www.tagsaletastes.com/2012/10/04/spanish-bean-soup/