Panera Bread Black Bean Soup Recipe 45

Steps:

• In a pot, combine the first six ingredients; simmer for 10 minutes.
• Add half a can of beans, salt and cumin; cook for 5 minutes.
• Puree soup (I use an immersion blender which makes it easy to do it right in the pot).
• Add the rest of the beans to the soup.
• Combine the cornstarch with 1 1/2 tablespoons of water.
• Add the lemon and the cornstarch to the soup; cook until thickened.

Steps:

• Soak black beans overnight or for at least eight hours.
• Rinse beans thoroughly and place in Dutch oven. Cover with water. Bring beans just to a boil and then reduce heat and simmer. Continue to add water as needed to keep the water level just above the beans. Simmer until beans are tender. About 90 minutes.
• When beans are tender, add the lime juice, cumin and garlic powder.
• Sauté all minced vegetables in vegetable oil until barely tender. Cover vegetables with vegetable broth and simmer until vegetables are very tender.
• Place vegetables with broth and 1/3 of black beans into a blender. Blend very well until the mixture is very smooth.
• Pour vegetable/bean puree back into bean mixture and if necessary, add a more vegetable broth if mixture seems too thick.
• If the soup is not to your thickness preference, mix cornstarch with equal parts cold water and mix with a spoon until well incorporated. Pour cornstarch/water mixture into bean soup, while simmering until the soup is the consistency you like.
• Top with regular or vegan sour cream, for a special touch and enjoy! Best served with a delicious grilled cheese sandwich (whole wheat and havarti).