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Cuban Black Bean Soup

Cuban Black Bean Soup
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Cuban Black Bean Soup and I go way back. We go so far back that Marty McFly would have to drive me there to taste that particular recipe again. You see, the place is closed.

I’ve come within 100 miles, but never visited Cuba. I’ve dined at Cuban restaurants and spent the night at a Holiday Inn Express, which are dubious credentials at best. I suppose it’s presumptuous of me to name this “Cuban” black bean soup. I’ll explain.

Cuba is an island nation that has always fascinated me with a tumultuous history. I will never forget the communist revolution and the 1962 missile crisis when I was taught to “duck and cover” at school.

A Cuban family opened a restaurant in my hometown, serving their own authentic recipes. We dined there and at some point my friend noticed their phone number. The last four digits were 1-9-5-9. We thought it unlikely to be sheer coincidence, and on a hunch asked our server about it. We were told they specifically requested that number to mark the year of the communist revolution that changed their lives forever. That meal whet my appetite for more.

I dined at several more authentic Cuban restaurants when visiting Miami a few years ago. The food was glorious and I can’t replicate it – but I can try. Naming this soup is meant to show respect for the Cuban people because they inspire me through their history, culture and cuisine.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs black beans
  • 2 lbs smoked sausage
  • 1 medium red onion – roughly chopped
  • 1 green bell pepper – seeded and roughly chopped
  • 3 large jalapeno peppers – seeded and diced
  • 1/3 bunch cilantro, leaves only – chopped (save a little for garnish)
  • 4 garlic cloves – minced
  • 1 tsp crushed red pepper
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
  •  1 bay leaf
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 oz olive oil
  • 1 jar sliced deli jalapenos – serve on the side
  • 16 oz sour cream for garnish
  • Tapatio hot sauce on the side for the pepper-heads

Instructions

  1. Rinse and soak the beans overnight in salted cold water
  2. Pour off the water, add the beans to a large pot and cover with fresh water
  3. Dice the jalapeno
  4. Mince the garlic
  5. Chop the Onion and bell pepper
  6. Slice the sausage
  7. Add the salt, garlic, red pepper, cayenne pepper and bay leaf to the pot
  8. Bring the beans to a boil then cover and reduce the heat to simmer until tender, about 45 minutes to an hour
  9. While the beans are cooking, sear the sausage on both sides over medium heat, then set aside
  10. When the beans are tender, remove the bay leaf and use an immersion blender to puree about half the beans, or until it reaches your desired consistency. I prefer a thicker soup. YMMV.
  11. Add the olive oil, jalpenos, bell pepper, onion, cilantro and sausage ( including any leftover fat)
  12. Adjust with water if necessary, cover and simmer on low  1-2 hours
  13. Stir frequently ( about each 15 minutes) because the pureed beans will sink to the bottom and stick
  14. Add salt and pepper to taste

Cuban Black Bean Soup sausage chopped veggies

Cuban Black Bean Soup beans Veggies combined in Cuban Black Bean Soup

And just one more thing…

If you thought duck and cover would protect you from a nuclear blast or radioactive fallout… (you fill in the punchline)

And one last thing…

Add your punchline to the comments section of my website. If there are 50 responses or more, the winner for best punchline might get a prize. Keep it clean people!

Find it online: https://www.cooksavorcelebrate.com/cuban-black-bean-soup/