You’d think being unemployed would have all kinds of perks, like lots of free time for cooking and blogging, right? Long story short, that is not the case, so my quest for easy and delicious dinners remains the same.
Here’s one I made a few weeks ago I had waiting in the wings (thank goodness because my spare time has been minimal) that is chock full of flavor and spice! This hearty soup was one of those welcome, warming dinners on a cold and dreary evening. I hope you think so too.
Spicy Black Bean and Sausage Soup with Roasted Garlic
8 ounces dried black beans, soaked overnight (or sub two cans)
6 cloves garlic, unpeeled, tips removed
Olive oil for garlic
1 tablespoon bacon grease or olive oil
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped carrot
4 ounces ground spicy Italian sausage
1 chipotle in Adobo sauce, minced plus one tablespoon of the sauce
1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
4 cups ham or chicken stock
1 14.5 ounce can tomatoes with liquid (I used my homemade canned tomatoes)
1 tablespoon dry sherry or apple cider vinegar
Salt, to taste
Lime wedges, cilantro, sour cream, for garnish
Drain and rinse beans (dried or canned) and set aside. Nestle cloves of garlic cut tips up in aluminum foil and drizzle olive oil over top. Wrap tightly and place in 350-degree toaster oven (or oven) for 25 minutes. Remove and set aside.
Meanwhile, heat the tablespoon bacon grease or olive oil in a Dutch oven or soup pot over medium heat. Add the onions, carrots and ground sausage, stirring until sausage is cooked through. Drain any grease, if necessary. Stir in the chipotle and sauce, smoked paprika, cumin, and cayenne pepper until combined and fragrant.
Pour in the stock, then squeeze the cloves of roasted garlic out of their skins into the soup. Now add the beans. Bring up to a boil, then turn down and simmer until the beans are cooked through. For dried beans, this could take an hour or more depending on how old the beans are. Canned beans are ready when heated through.
Puree the tomatoes with liquid in a container using an immersion blender stick, or a blender or food processor. (I used my new Cuisinart stick!) Once the beans are tender, pour in the tomatoes and sherry or vinegar. Taste for salt, and add if necessary.
Puree about half the soup using an immersion stick, or add to blender or food processor in batches. I like mine a bit chunky. Once soup has warmed through again, serve immediately and pass with lime wedges, cilantro, and sour cream.
That looks and sounds delicious to me, Kathryn Grace. (And, yes, being unemployed is one of the hardest jobs of all, I discovered while I was freelancing and looking for full-time work and blogging all at the same time …)
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Thank you Mark, it’s been so many years since I haven’t had a job, it’s a bit perplexing. BUT, my resume is all updated and sent in to several places already. Thank you so much for your kind words. 🙂
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Stay diligent and upbeat, and you’ll end up on top, Kathryn Grace. 🙂
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Delicious soup Kathryn, soup season is winding down but there is still some cold weather left, saved!!
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Thank you Suzanne! There is plenty left here, I see snow in the forecast here for next week. 😮
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Aw KR you mean that you will not be returning to your position ever? Noooooooooo! I thought it was a temporary lay off??? Clue me in please. Soup sounds yum-oooooo! xoxo ccc
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Yep, it was a permanent layoff. I’d been there 16 years! A Reduction in Force is the name according to the bean counters. Thanks sweetie, I have other job prospects on the horizon! xoxoxo
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No KR-I am so sorry-yes, with your talent and experience you’ll find something else I am sure. xoxo ccc
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Mmm.. This is awesome! I love soups and also I am huge fun of roasted garlic!! 🙂 I want to have this with Jasmine rice !!
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Oooh Jasmine rice would be perfect with this, thank you!
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This has my name written ALL over it! I love all your special touches like the roasted garlic, the smoked paprika, the chipotle! When’s dinner??
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Thanks Mollie!!! We simply devoured this, no leftovers!
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Sounds so yummy, Kathryn! I love the roasted garlic! This is one flavor packed soup 🙂
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Looks great – it’s still cold enough here for soup too!
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Thanks BCM, it sure is!
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This looks delicious Kathryn! I always forget how wonderful roasted garlic is in dishes like the one you prepared. It’s well worth the extra step. 🙂
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Thank you so much Ellie! It truly does make a big difference. 🙂
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Thanks for the recipe, Kathryn. Anything with all that garlic does well in our house. 🙂 Sounds nice and spicy too! Yum.
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Thank you Diana, I hope you get to try it out some day!
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Yum! This sounds delicious, Kathryn. It looks so hearty in your lovely photos. Thanks for another delicious meal. Mega hugs.
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Thank you so much my friend, you always have such kind words for me. xoxo Hugs back!
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And they are always true! 😀 More hugs.
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I love the addition of spicy sausage to your bean soup – kick it up a notch! Also, the roasted garlic adds some great flavor too.
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Thank you Judi, it all worked together deliciously!
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Fantastic! I love all. Of the components of this soup. I typically add some sausage to black bean soup, but it’s bigger chunks. i like what you did.
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Thank you so much Mimi! I had spicy ground sausage on hand this time, and I think it worked out perfect!
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I have to admit,your layoff came as a shock to me.I hope you’re Ok! I know it’s not walk on the roses,but hope you can first relax and have some time just for yourself. And then you strike back and land the perfect job 🙂 The soup looks looks really tasty!
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Thank you so much Kate for your kind words. I’ve seen layoffs at this company for years now, I guess my number was up! I don’t take it personally and plan on relaxing as much as possible before my next venture. xo
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It’s a rainy day here and this would be a perfect soup . It looks delicious.
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Thank you so much Gerlinde, it’s quite rainy here today too.
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This sounds totally delicious KR!
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Thank you Lynn, it sure was! xoxo
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yummm xoxo
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Another one to add on the to make list.
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Mine is quite long, lol!
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This looks great! I’ll replace the Italian sausage with Mexican chorizo, if I can find any.
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Excellent substitution, thank you!
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Wow! This is making my mouth water. I am looking forward to making this soup!
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Thank you Michelle! It sure had a lotta flavor!
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Sounds fantastic. I’ve never heard of a sausage soup before.
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Thank you Kev, it sure adds a nice flavor. 🙂
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I can imagine. Will have to try it sometime.
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I hope you won’t be looking for a job for long but in the meantime you certainly did prepare a delicious soup. And you know what, I’d have this anytime…not just when it is cold. If that was the case here in Florida, we would never have soup. 😀
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Thanks Karen, and isn’t that the truth about Florida?! I lived there for almost 5 years so I get that. 🙂
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You had me at “roasted garlic”. Excellent soup.
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Thank you Conor, ’twas!
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Yum! That roasted garlic is calling my name.
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Thank you, doesn’t it??
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My husband loves black beans. I am definitely going to make this. Have you ever made it with chorizo?
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I have not, but I certainly would have used that if I had it. I had a small amount of the spicy Italian I needed to use up. But chorizo would be excellent!
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I’m sure you’ll find another position soon. Enjoy your free time!
This black bean soup looks fantastic! I love black beans. 🙂
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Thanks my friend! So good!
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