Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Cuban Black Bean and Ham Soup

Ok, forget any ham and bean soup I've made up to this point because this one is hands down the new winner.
Cuban Black Bean & Ham Soup
It is cold again in Minneapolis and once again spring snow is predicted. Soup is just the thing in this kind of weather but, we are craving lighter, fresher spring foods. This soup is a great half way point. The ham and beans are hearty while the lime and cilantro give it a bright, almost tropical, flavor. If you've got some ham leftover from this past Easter, I can't think of a better use for it.

Cuban Black Bean and Ham Soup

1 T olive oil
3/4 c chopped yellow onion
2 large cloves garlic, minced
1/2 red pepper, seeded and chopped
2 c chopped cooked ham
zest from half a lime
2 15oz cans black beans (do not rinse or drain)
2 c chicken stock
1 14.5oz can diced tomatoes
1/2 t hot sauce (or more to taste)
1/2 t cumin
juice of one lime
chopped cilantro
salt
sour cream or plain yogurt (optional)

In a large soup pot or Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the onion, garlic and red pepper. Sauté until the onion is translucent, 3 - 4 minutes. Add the ham and sauté another minute. Stir in the lime zest, beans (including liquid), stock, tomatoes (including juices), hot sauce and cumin. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer. Let simmer for 45 minutes.

Add the lime juice and cilantro. Taste for seasoning and add salt if needed. Top each serving with a dollop of sour cream or yogurt if desired.

4 - 5 servings.

If you are not reading this post in a feed reader or at http://agoodappetite.blogspot.com OR at http://agoodappetite.com then the site you are reading is illegally publishing copyrighted material. Contact me at katbaro AT yahoo DOT COM. All recipes, text and photographs in this post are the original creations & property of the author unless otherwise noted. © 2007-2011 Kathy Lewinski

17 comments:

Silvia M. said...

With all the ham we still have from Easter I have to try this one. It looks delicious!

RJ Flamingo said...

Looks like another winner, Kat!

Lori said...

Temps are supposed to drop to 40 here so this would be perfect. Yes, I know that's nothing like snow, but not quite KY spring either.

grace said...

this has 'leftover ham' written all over it! bonus--it's absolutely scrumptious and satisfying. nice work!

Tangled Noodle said...

It is the total opposite in temperatures here in Manila, but that doesn't stop me from craving a comforting bowl of hot soup! Although beans do not figure prominently in Filipino cuisine, black beans are easily found in grocery stores. I'm all set to make myself a big pot of this!

Allison said...

I love cuban beans and I love black bean soup so this may be a perfect match for me. Too bad it is 80 degrees here.

Lori said...

Since it is kinda chilly here today, I am thinking this would make a great meal.

Kris said...

I do have leftover ham and this is SO going on next week's menu. Thanks!

Beth (jamandcream) said...

i bet the lime and coriander (cilantro) really lift it

girls who like to gorge said...

This looks prettty well close to perfect! Lovely!! :) xxxx

Deborah said...

Now I'm wishing I had some leftover ham!

Kris said...

I made this last night and my husband gave it two huge thumbs up! Then I had it for lunch today and it was the perfect, tasty, filling, good for me meal to get me through this hectic day. My only change was 1 Tbsp Frank's Hot Sauce.

Alicia Foodycat said...

Snow again? That's crazy! This soup looks like perfection though.

Anonymous said...

This soup is absolutely delicious! I only added 1 cup of chicken broth because I like my soups thicker. The liquid from the tomatoes and black beans seemed to add enough liquid. I also used a whole red pepper. Great recipe!

Carrie said...

Hi Kat,
This soup is soooo good. Eating it as I type! Just linked to the recipe from my blog...http://clhomestyles.com/cuban-black-bean-and-ham-soup/.
Love to read your site, thanks for the recipe.

Unknown said...

Absolutely delicious! Thanks so much

Me said...

Thank you for all the great memories you have helped create in my house. I have been using the recepie for about 3 years (sorry for The delay in recognition!). We'll buy a ham, then boil up the bones to make a stock, then I create this. It's my kids favorite and earns hugs from the young ones very time I make it.

Great memories, great food! Thanks you.
Darren

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