Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Black Bean Soup with Chicken Quesadillas






It seems like just in the last few years I have discovered and fallen in love with beans. I keep my pantry stocked with all sorts of beans, and I cook with them constantly. They are so healthy, filling, flavorful and inexpensive. They are also great because there are never ending ways to make them. I fell in love with this soup instantly. It was actually the first time I had ever cooked with a dried bean before, usually I just used the canned ones. I really can't tell you if there is a difference, but it is nice to know that you are using beans that haven't already been pumped full of sodium. If anyone does try this soup with canned beans though, let me know how it worked out. I also used this soup to make an incredible rice and beans dish which I will add shortly.

The chicken quesadillas were a last minute decision to go with the soup. I wish I could give you a mind blowing recipe for them, but in all honesty they are pretty much chicken, cheese and tortilla. HOWEVER, I added a freshly bought salsa verde, and chopped cilantro in mine, and it was heaven. I know that there are all sorts of delicious, and much fresher salsa verdes out there, but Pace has a new one that is really really good. I eat it with my chips now instead of red salsa.


Okay, enough talking, more cooking!



Black Bean Soup
Found in Cooking Light March 2009

Ingredients

1 pound dried black beans
4 cups chicken broth
2 cups chopped onion
1 cup water
1 tablespoon ground cumin
3 bay leaves
1 serrano chile, finely chopped (jalapeno worked just fine)
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
3 tablespoons reduced fat sour cream
Cilantro sprigs (optional)

Directions

1. Sort and wash beans; place in a large bowl. Cover with water to 2 inches above beans; cover and let stand for 8 hours, drain.

2. Combine beans, broth, and next 5 ingredients (through chile) in a slow cooker. Cover and cook on LOW 10 hours. Discard bay leaves. Stir in juice and salt. Serve with sour cream and cilantro if desired.

Serves 6: 1 serving 1-1/2 cups soup and 1-1/2 teaspoon sour cream

Per serving: 288 cal, 2.3g fat, 18.5g fiber, 2.9mg chol, 4.6mg iron, 581mg sodium

Points per Serving: 5

18 comments:

Sara said...

I love beans too, I eat them at least once a week! Love the quesadillas on the side.

Coleens Recipes said...

Your soup sounds delicious and the photo of the soup and quesadilla looks very inviting! I love that everything in the soup are pantry staples. In the winter I often do not have fresh cilantro, but I just discovered you can buy it dried in the spice isle. Has anyone tried it?

Jenn said...

Soup and quesdillas. Perfect match!!

Anya said...

Yummieeeeeeeeeee beans,
thanks for the recept;)
Its looks delicious !!

Unknown said...

I can't tell you how much I love Quesadillas! I love your idea of serving them with black bean soup.

Rebekah said...

i could eat this all the time! I'm a huge fan of black beans!! Yummy!!!

Heather S-G said...

Sounds delicious...I'm in love with beans, myself ;) I spy a chile in this recipe...want to email it over to me for the chile roundup/giveaway???

Kristen said...

I've been thinking about using dry beans lately too (I always used canned). Thanks for the black bean soup reicpe, I've been looking for a good one!

Katy ~ said...

I bought the salsa verde a while back and didn't have a clue how to use it LOL. Your post is just needed. Thanks!

nopham said...

Looks yummy! Beautiful photography.

Reeni said...

I love the soup!! Black beans are my favorites! And the quesadillas on the side are a perfect match.

Heidi said...

mmmm! I've been searching for more recipes with beans...the girls love em and its help me lose weight! Thanks for the recipe! I can't wait to try it!

Donna-FFW said...

This looks perfect teresa. I love the combo the the beans and the quesadilla. That black bean soup sounds terrific!

Taste of My Life said...

I love beans and like the photos showing in your blog. All are beautiful!

Katherine Roberts Aucoin said...

I hope you saved some for me! This is one fantastic meal! Way over the top soup and sandwiches.

Debbie said...

I love all kinds of Mexican food...your soup looks so tasty...I can go for a chicken quesadilla anytime.

theUngourmet said...

I love beans also! They are so great if you're trying to save money!

This recipe looks yummy! I eat quesadillas a lot! They are one of my favorites!

em said...

YUM. I love putting green onions in my quesadillas...so yummy.