Slow cooker Vegetarian Black Bean Soup

Slow cooker Vegetarian  Black Bean Soup

Editors’ Choice Cookbook Collection.  From The Best Make-Ahead Recipe.

Serves 6 to 8.  

Serve this soup with minced red onion, sour cream, and hot sauce, if desired. If the soup becomes too thick as it sits, thin to the desired consistency with either water or broth.

PREP-AHEAD TRIPS: You can store the following ingredients together:
1. Cook the vegetables as described in step 1, then transfer to an airtight container and refrigerator.
2. Pick over and rinse the black beans and refrigerate.

INGREDIENTS

2	tablespoons vegetable oil
3	medium onions , minced
3	celery ribs , chopped medium
2	medium carrots , chopped medium
6	medium garlic cloves , minced or pressed through a garlic press (about 2 tablespoons)
5	teaspoons ground cumin
1/2	teaspoon red pepper flakes
	Salt
6	cups vegetable broth
1	pound dried black beans (about 2 1/4 cups), picked over and rinsed
2	bay leaves
2	tablespoons minced chipotle chiles in adobo sauce
1/4	cup minced fresh cilantro leaves
	Ground black pepper

INSTRUCTIONS

1. 1. Heat the oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat until shimmering but not smoking. Add the onions, celery, carrots, garlic, cumin, pepper flakes, and 1/4 teaspoon salt and cook until the vegetables are softened and lightly browned, 10 to 15 minutes.
2. 2. Transfer the vegetables to the slow cooker insert and stir in the water, broth, black beans, chipotle chiles, and bay leaves until evenly combined. Cover and cook on low until the soup has thickened and the beans are tender, 8 to 10 hours. (Alternatively, cover and cook on high for 6 to 7 hours.)
3. 3. Remove and discard the bay leaves. Meanwhile, puree 2 cups of the soup in a blender until smooth, then stir back into the slow cooker insert. Stir in the cilantro, season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve.