Black Bean, Corn, & Tomatillo Soup

Things seem to be taking a turn towards the Mexican around here at the moment; I guess you can thank those Poblano peppers. Tomatillos too. Mr. Ferdzy always wants to grow some and I have so few ideas of what to do with them. However, here's one, and it went over very well.

Gotta admit I just used a can o' beans. I'm going to have to get cooking on all the ones in jars in the basement at some point though. 

4 servings
45 minutes prep time not including cooking the beans or corn

2 cups cooked black beans OR 1 540 ml (19 oz) tin black beans
1 cob of corn
1 medium onion
1 medium Poblano or other frying pepper
300 grams (10 ounces) tomatillos (8 to 16 of them)
3 cloves of garlic
2 tablespoons mild vegetable oil or bacon fat
1 teaspoon cumin seed, ground
1/4 teaspoon more or less chipotle or similar ground hot chile
salt to taste
2 cups bean cooking water, vegetables stock, or chicken stock
the juice of 1 large lime
1 ripe medium avocado to garnish
chopped cilantro to garnish
sour cream to garnish

The beans and the corn must be cooked in advance. For the beans, 3/4 cup raw beans should give the right amount when cooked. Soak them in boiling water overnight, then bring to a boil and simmer until tender, stirring frequently. The corn should be husked and cooked in boiling water for 5 to 7 minutes until tender, then cooled under cold running water. This can be done the day ahead. You can avoid most of this by using a can of black beans.

Cut the cooked corn from the cob and set aside. Peel and finely chop the onion. Core and finely chop the pepper. Remove the husks from the tomatillos and wash them, then chop them finely. Peel and mince the garlic.

Heat the oil or bacon fat in a heavy-bottomed soup pot. Grind the cumin seed and add it once the oil is hot; let it sizzle for a minute until aromatic. Add the hot chile and a bit of salt. Add the onion, pepper, and tomatillos, and cook over medium-high heat for about 10 minutes, stirring regularly, until softened and reduced in volume. Slight browning is okay. Stir in the garlic and cook for a minute more.

While they cook, mash half the beans. On a plate with a fork is the easiest way for this small quantity.

Add the cooking water or stock, as well as the beans, both mashed and unmashed, and the corn. Let the soup simmer for about 20 minutes, stirring regularly. Add the lime juice and serve it with the garnishes - peel and dice the avocado; wash, dry and chop the cilantro; the sour cream just needs a spoon.





Last year at this time I made Bread Fritters.

Posted in: Ontario Food