Black Bean Soup Made Easy
Any one who thinks black bean soup isn’t the easiest thing ever is nuts. Get a box of black bean soup. Get the right spices and add a few shakes. Done. And if you’re feeling ambitious, throw in a little lime, cilantro and avocado.
Critics might say it’s better to make it from scratch. So buy beans from a can and mush them up yourself? I guess if you have a sweet blender and want to show off. It’s much simpler to just get the pre-made stuff, assuming it’s dairy free and gluten free. It comes in a box and is awesome.
Spicy, Crunchy and Hot
Black bean soup needs to be spicy. Otherwise, it’s just mushed up black beans. And that’s like eating baby food. The boxed stuff from Trader Joe’s comes pre-seasoned, but unless you’re a huge wimp, it needs much more spice. I added several shakes of chili powder, salt and cilantro. To balance it all out, a little fresh lime juice makes it practically gourmet.
Like most of my soups, I like it with a little crunch. Tortilla chips are great to crush (by hand is fine) and sprinkle on top.
Finally, this soup in particular has to be served hot. Like burning fricking hot. It adds to the spicy effect and makes it more enjoyable to eat. That’s assuming soup is something you eat.
Bonus Tip: To make it a complete meal, I threw in some quinoa. Try it. Pretty damn good.
5 Vitamix FYIs
1) USA friends: Exclusive deal alert on the Pro 750. You can get one of these for $399.95 (black or red; +$30 for Brushed Stainless). They’re branded as Certified Reconditioned, but I’m 99% sure they’re brand new, untouched, mint machines. My guess is that the only reason they are not priced at $599.95 is because they sat in a William & Sonoma warehouse and were returned to Vitamix HQ to make room for Ascent. Get one while you can. Based on my experience (and confirmation from our Vitamix people), these fly off the shelves whenever they become available.
2) Canada friends: Now (while supplies last), you can save C$80 on the Certified Reconditioned 5300. (Total steal!)
3) The Vitamix Ascent Series (our full rundown) is now available in the U.S. and Canada. Each comes with a 10-year warranty and is eligible for easy payment plans, and when you enter our Promo Code at checkout (06-007938), you’ll get our exclusive, instant $20 discount (right next to the credit for free shipping!).
4) Finally! The 8-ounce (review and demo video!) and 20-ounce containers for Ascent are available for purchase.
5) Now through forever: (Starter Kit 1) Get a New Vitamix Owner Starter Kit with the purchase of any Vitamix through Life is NOYOKE. It’s a quick-start recipe cheatsheet, ebook, $20 coupon to LINY “U”, and Lifetime Priority Support as a thank you gift for buying through us. Read More »»