Spicy Ham & Black Bean Soup

- courtesy of Murray Wiersma,second place winner of 2003"Be the Chef for a Day" Contest

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp olive oil
  
• 1 1/2 cups chopped red onion
  
• 1 - 4.5 oz can diced mild green chilies
  
• 4 (or more) garlic cloves, chopped
  
• 1 seeded jalapeno pepper, finely chopped
  
• 1 tbsp ground cumin
  
• 900 ml canned chicken broth
  
• 1 ham bone with lots of meat left on
  
• 2 – 19 oz cans black beans, drained
  
• 8 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
  
• Tortilla chips

Instructions

1. Heat oil in large heavy pot over medium-high heat
   
2. Add onion, green chilies, garlic, jalapeno and cumin
   
3. Sauté until onion is tender, about 5 minutes
   
4. Add broth and ham bone, bring to a boil and simmer for approximately 30 minutes
   
5. Remove bone and trim and cut up ham
   
6. Return ham to soup pan and add drained and rinsed black beans, simmer for 15 minutes
   
7. Purée 2 cups of soup (3 cups for a thicker soup) in blender and return to soup pot
   
8. Add 6 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
   
9. Season to taste with salt and pepper
   Serve with remaining fresh chopped cilantro and tortilla chips.

Top of Page