Organic Black Beans

Black Beans are back!!!  Grown by organic farmers Fred and Caroline, on their farm “Old Willow Organic” near Shilo Manitoba, these beans are then cleaned and prepared for your winter soup pots by Adagio Acres.  After cleaning and preparing a batch of black beans in our original grain bundles 5 years ago, and have been searching in vain for Manitoba grown black beans ever since.  We are so happy that this crop was successful, and available with your grain bundles again this year.  Perfect for refried beans, black bean soup, winter chili, and all things bean-y and delicious.  There have also been a lot of recipes shared on the “Winter Grain CSA” facebook group (black bean brownies anyone?!?).

Winter Black Bean Soup

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups uncooked (dry) blackbeans

1 tbsp oil (sunflower of course!)

1 large onion, chopped

1 tbsp ground cumin

1/4 tsp chipotle powder or smoked paprika

2 ribs celery, chopped

1/2 cup corn

3 cloves garlic, minced

8 cups vegetable, chicken, or beef broth

1 cup tomatoes, diced

1 bay leaf

2 tsp dried oregano leaves

sea salt, to taste

Extras:

fresh cilantro leaves, sundried tomatoes, scallions, and/or avocado slices

Directions:

1.  Place black beans in a pot and cover with 4 inches of water.  Soak overnight.  Discard water and rinse beans in a colander.
2. In a large saucepan, saute the onion, celery, and corn for 2 minutes.
3. Add garlic, cumin, and chipotle and saute for 1 minute more.
4. Stir in the broth, soaked black beans, tomatoes, bay leaf, salt, and oregano.
5. Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat to medium; cover and let simmer for 3 hours or until beans are soft and cooked through.  Discard by leaf.
6. Serve hot with your garnish of choice and enjoy!