TGGD Oaxaca Style Black Bean Soup RECIPE aka Sopa de Frijoles Negros

They have been called a Superfood, I just know black beans are fantastic and should feature in more recipes..a bowl of this soup contains
421 Calories
21g protein
49g Carbs
18g total fat

A point to note is that like red kidney beans, black beans should not be eaten raw/sprouted as they are poisonous in their raw state.

A complete, hearty  meal in a bowl!!

This recipe serves 6

2 1/2 cups (1 pound) black beans cooked as for TGGD until second boil.

Then continue with the Method (see below)

10 cups own made chicken/beef broth TGGD
1 pound ham hocks, washed well &  cracked (see image left)
1 cup chopped celery
4 cloves garlic smashed and minced
2 cups chopped onions
1tsp cracked pepper
1/2 tsp ground allspice
1 x 10 ozs can chopped tomatoes in their juice
1/2 cup dry red wine/apple juice/OR 3 tbsp lemon juice
1lemon thinly sliced
2 cups sour cream or live plain yogurt

Method:

In a 5qt saucepan bring the 10 cups stock to a boil with the beans, hocks, celery, onions,
 garlic and spices and cook on medium simmer, covered for 2 hours or until the beans easily mash. (Remove any scum that develops).
Remove the ham and set aside.
Add the wine and canned tomatoes to the soup, and in batches, blend to a smooth soup, pouring the blended soup into a clean saucepan.
Remove the skin and bones from the hocks and cut the ham meat into small pieces, add these to the soup and bring  to a gentle boil.
Serve in bowls garnished with thin slices of lemon and offer sour cream.

Variations:
Add dried oregano to the boiling soup
Replace the allspice with ground cumin
replace the hocks with skinless chicken legs/thighs and cook in the soup for just 30 mins or until tender ..adding smoked paprika to taste
 

Ham Hocks come in many shapes and sizes..just make sure to wash well not only to clean but also to remove some of the salt