Sopa de Frijoles
The Quirky Foodster Team
Ingredients
- Dried black beans, soaked overnight — 400 g (14 oz)
- Onion, chopped — 1
- Garlic, minced — 3 cloves
- Oil — 1 tbsp
- Water — 1.4 L (48 fl oz)
- Salt — to taste
- Crema (or sour cream) and chopped coriander, to garnish
Method
- Drain the soaked beans and place in a large pot with the water.
- Simmer for 1–1.5 hours until the beans are very tender.
- Heat the oil in a small pan and sauté the onion and garlic until softened, then stir this into the pot.
- Blend a portion of the soup until smooth, then return it to the pot for a creamy, slightly textured consistency, or blend the whole batch for a fully smooth soup.
- Season with salt.
- Serve hot, garnished with a dollop of crema and chopped coriander.
Introduction: A comforting, smooth black bean soup seasoned simply with onion and garlic, a nourishing everyday Nicaraguan meal.
Cultural Background: Beans anchor Nicaraguan cooking in nearly every form, and this simple, blended soup reflects a common, budget-friendly way to enjoy them as a warming light meal, often served with a dollop of crema.
Tips: Soaking the beans overnight significantly shortens the cooking time. Blending only a portion of the soup gives a pleasant textured consistency, while blending it all makes a smoother, more elegant soup.
Variations: Add a chopped chilli for a little heat. Serve with fried tortilla strips on top for extra crunch.
Storage: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Reheating: Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of water, stirring, until warmed through.
FAQs:
Q: Can I use canned black beans?
A: Yes, though dried beans cooked from scratch give a more flavourful broth; use canned beans with a little added stock for convenience.
Q: What is crema?
A: A Nicaraguan-style soured cream, thinner and tangier than typical Western sour cream, commonly used as a garnish.
- Dried black beans, soaked overnight — 400 g (14 oz)
- Onion, chopped — 1
- Garlic, minced — 3 cloves
- Oil — 1 tbsp
- Water — 1.4 L (48 fl oz)
- Salt — to taste
- Crema (or sour cream) and chopped coriander, to garnish
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