Five bean soup

6 servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
½cupNavy beans; dried
½cupLima beans; white dried
½cupChick peas; dried (garbanzo
½cupRed beans; dried (kidney be
½cupBlack beans; dried
cupWater; or beef stock
Salt
2tablespoonsVegetable oil
1Onion; chopped
2tablespoonsDry sherry
3Cl Garlic; minced
1Green bell pepper; cored, s
1Carrot; diced
1Celery; diced
teaspoonCumin; ground
1teaspoonCoriander seeds; coarsely g
1teaspoonOrange peel; grated
¼teaspoonFreshly ground pepper
¼teaspoonRed pepper flakes; dried (o
Rice; freshly cooked (optio
Sour cream; or yogurt
Cilantro; fresh, chopped

Directions

Rinse and sort beans. Place beans in large pot; add enough cold water to cover by 3 inches. Let stand overnight.

Drain beans and return to pot. Add 3-½ cups water. Bring to boil. Adjust heat so liquid barely simmers. Cover and cook until beans are tender, stirring occasionally, about 1-½ hours. Season to taste with salt.

Heat oil in heavy skillet over low heat. Add onion, Sherry and garlic. Cover and cook until onion is soft, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes. Add bell pepper, carrot, celery, cumin and coriander. Cover and continue cooking until vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes. Add vegetable mixture to beans. Stir in orange peel, pepper and ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes if desired. Place rice in bowls. Spoon soup over. Top each with dollop of sour cream or yogurt. Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve. Serves 6. Recipe from Bon Appetit, October, 1987.