Vegetarian Black Bean Soup with Cilantro-Lime Cream

This just has a wonderful flavor. I will definatly be making this one again!!

Vegetarian Black Bean Soup with Cilantro-Lime Cream
This recipe serves: 8

2 cups dried black turtle beans, soaked (Iused canned beans and it worked)
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 cup diced onion
1/2 cup diced celery
1/2 cup diced green pepper
1 tablespoon minced jalapeño pepper
freshly ground black pepper
1 clove garlic, minced
1 bay leaf
2 tablespoons finely chopped cilantro stems
6 cups low-sodium canned vegetable broth
salt to taste

1/4 cup chopped cilantro leaves
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
4 tablespoons non-fat sour cream

1. Drain the beans and set aside.

2. Heat the oil in a 4-quart pot over low-medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the onion, celery, green pepper and jalapeño pepper, season lightly with black pepper and cook until the vegetables begin to soften, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute.

3. Add the bay leaf, cilantro stems, beans and broth and bring to a boil quickly over high heat.

4. Lower the heat and simmer until the beans are completely tender, about 30 to 40 minutes.

5. Remove and discard the bay leaf, puree half of the soup in a blender and then add it to the rest of the soup. Season with salt and pepper and keep warm.

6. Blend the cilantro leaves, lime juice and sour cream together. (i put them in a blender)

7. Serve the soup in warm bowls with a dollop of cilantro-lime cream.

NOTE: Do not add salt until the beans are fully cooked because salt will prevent them from becoming tender.

I didnt' have enough stuff for the whole recipe, all I added was 2 cans black beans and 1 can Kidney beans both rinsed, and it worked well. I think you can tweak this recipe and it still turns out great.
Serving Size: about 1 cup Number of Servings: 8
Per Serving Calories 203 Carbohydrate 34 g Fat 2 g Fiber 12 g Protein 13 g Saturated Fat 1 g Sodium 250 g