Cuban Black Bean Soup

Total Time: 3 hrs 30 mins Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 3 hrs

Ingredients

• Servings: 10
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 lb dried black beans
• 12 1/2 cups water, divided
• 1 tablespoon canola oil
• 3 1/2 cups chopped green bell peppers (about 3 medium)
• 2 1/2 cups coarsely chopped onions
• 1/3 cup chopped shallot (about 2 small)
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 2 tablespoons dried oregano
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano
• 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 2 cups diced peeled avocados
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 2 cups thinly sliced red onions
• 1 1/2 cups chopped chopped 33% -less-sodium smoked cooked ham (optional) or 1 1/2 cups bacon (optional)
• 1 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 cup light sour cream
• 10 teaspoons unsalted pumpkin seeds, toasted
• 1/3 cup finely chopped seeded jalapeno pepper (about 2 medium)
• lime wedge (optional)

Recipe

• 1 place bay leaves and beans in a dutch oven.
• 2 add 12 cups water to pan; bring to a boil.
• 3 reduce heat, and simmer 2 1/2 hours or until tender, stirring occasionally.
• 4 heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
• 5 add bell pepper, chopped onion, and shallots to pan; cook 10 minutes or until onion is tender, stirring frequently.
• 6 stir in cumin, dried oregano, and fresh oregano; cook 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
• 7 remove from heat; let stand 10 minutes.
• 8 place vegetable mixture in a blender; add remaining 1/2 cup water; puree until smooth.
• 9 add vegetable mixture, sugar, and salt to beans; simmer 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• 10 discard bay leaves.
• 11 combine avocado and juice; toss gently.
• 12 ladle 3/4 cup bean mixture into each of 10 bowls; top each serving with about 3 tablespoons avocado mixture, about 3 tablespoons red onion, 2 tablespoons ham, about 1 1/2 tablespoons cilantro, about 1 1/2 tablespoons sour cream, 1 teaspoon pumpkinseed kernels, and about 1/2 teaspoon jalapeño pepper.
• 13 serve with lime wedges, if desired.