Black Bean Soup

Ingredients:

• 2 cans (15 ounces each) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 carrot, diced
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced (optional, for heat)
• 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Juice of 1 lime
• Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
• Sour cream or Greek yogurt (optional, for serving)
• Avocado slices (optional, for serving)
• Tortilla chips or crusty bread (optional, for serving)

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onions, garlic, bell pepper, carrot, and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are softened, about 5-7 minutes.

2. Add minced jalapeño, ground cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for another minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant.

3. Add drained and rinsed black beans to the pot. Stir to combine with the vegetables and spices.

4. Pour in the vegetable or chicken broth. Bring the soup to a simmer.

5. Once simmering, reduce heat to low and let the soup cook for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow the flavors to meld together.

6. After the soup has simmered and the flavors have developed, use an immersion blender or transfer a portion of the soup to a blender and blend until smooth. Be careful when blending hot liquids.

7. Return the blended soup to the pot if necessary. Stir in lime juice and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.

8. Ladle the hot soup into bowls. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro. Serve with a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt, avocado slices, and tortilla chips or crusty bread on the side, if desired.

9. Enjoy your homemade Black Bean Soup!

Feel free to customize this recipe according to your preferences. You can add more or less spice, adjust the consistency by adding more broth if desired, or add other vegetables like corn or diced tomatoes for extra flavor.