Spicy Black Bean Soup – a creamy dish full of Mexican flavour.
I don't like getting political on here. Friends and family know that usually politics is one of my favourite subjects but my blog is meant to be an escape from serious things like my job, religion or politics. Still...I'll be honest. Lately I've been feeling quite down and it's all because of the state of the London housing market.
Jon and I have grown out of our one bed flat and are desperate to buy a house in our little bit of the North London suburbs. The problem is that the houses are just so damn expensive. Even with both of us working good jobs and putting over half of our salaries into savings each month it's looking more and more likely that we aren't going to get what we want (and what we want is a cute two bedroom terraced house with a small garden).
My whole life I have worked hard and as a result I've gotten everything I could have wanted...until now. If we move out of London its going to be a very hard lesson to learn - sometimes working hard and doing your best just isn't enough. Ouch!
Cinco de Mayo
I could sit here all day and worry about where we are going to find the cash to be able to set up home but I’m just too tired. Instead I’m going to take a look back, all the way back to May when the sun was shining and I didn't have a care in the world. It's funny how these worries creep up on you out of nowhere to the point they are all you can think of.
Still, back in May I was cooking up a storm in the kitchen. I was doing a whole host of recipe development with Cinco de Mayo in mind but nothing ever managed to make it to the blog. If I'm perfectly honest I'd forgotten that I'd even taken these snaps until I stumbled across them in my dropbox a couple of weeks ago.
It might not be the prettiest looking soup but it has a fantastic creamy texture thanks to the blended black beans and sour cream. The chilli and lime also spike this soup with serious amounts of flavour. A Mexican beer is the perfect accompaniment.
The Recipe
Although I’d forgotten about this recipe that’s not to say we don’t love it! This Spicy Black Bean Soup is a regular in our meal plans and if I go a couple of weeks without cooking it Jon starts making requests. In fact...he's just seen me writing this post so it looks like we'll be having it next week.
It's incredibly easy to make and works on simple favours. If you love Mexican flavours, you'll love this!
Spicy Black Bean Soup
Ingredients
- 2 limes juice only
- 2 small red onions diced
- 2 cloves garlic crushed
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 large dried chipotle chilli
- 400 g black beans drained
- 400 ml stock
- 4 tablespoon reduced fat sour cream
- 1 handful coriander fresh
Instructions
- In a large flat bottomed pan, fry the onions in little oil for 5-10 minutes or until they've begun to soften.
- Add the garlic and dried spices and cook for a further 2-3 minutes.
- Finally add the black beans to the pan and cook for another 5 minutes until all of the flavours have combined.
- Transfer the beans, onions and spices to a blender and pour over the stock and the juice from the limes.
- Blitz the mixture for 5 minutes or until completely smooth.
- Transfer back to the pan and heat for another 5 minutes until the mixture has thickened.*
- Before serving, stir in sour cream.
- Serve with a sprig of fresh coriander!
Notes
Nutrition
Super Soup
I'm entering this super soup recipe into the Super Soup link up over at Jo's Kitchen. Click the badge to find more delicious soup recipes including my Spicy Black Bean Soup.
Choclette says
Now that sounds like one very delicious bowl of soup. I love Mexican flavours and black beans. Bookmarked for the winter months. I do feel for you. London house prices are ridiculous. Even down here in Cornwall they are overpriced and the locals can't afford to buy. It's all very unfair. We're lucky enough to have a house, but it's a teeny tiny one with a minute garden that just isn't big enough for the interests we have, never mind working from home. Hey ho!
Emma Walton says
Thanks Choclette! I guess it's hard on everyone at the minute 🙁 stupid inflated house prices! I guess an Engishmans home isn't his castle! I hope you enjoy the soup 🙂
Tracy says
The soup sounds great and reminds me of what I ate in Mexico. North London is great, but house prices are indeed mental - getting on the housing ladder is tough. I hope things work out for you
Emma Walton says
Thanks Tracy! We've decided 2016 is the year we go for it! So come February / March it will all be about the house search! Fingers crossed it works out. If not I'll comiserate with more comfort food :-p
Bintu @ Recipes From A Pantry says
I am sorry about your house buying woes. My bestie is experiencing exactly the same thing.
Emma Walton says
I'm sure there are thousands of other people out there feeling exactly the same Bintu. I just want a kitchen garden so bad! Communal gardens suck!!!
Julie W says
Hey Emma!
I've just made this soup for my lunch - it's absolutely lovely!! Not the prettiest soup but the flavours are definitely very summery and it is just what I needed on this grim, grey day! (Especially after having a dentist appointment this morning!)
Keep saving away for your house, it's the best investment you'll ever make and there will be something out there for you but you might have to hold your nerve. I was about your age when James and I bought our first house. It was a repossession, which I felt a bit bad about and it needed some work but ultimately it was home. You're at the start of your long term earning potential, so once you've got your foot on the first rung, image later steps get a bit easier.
Good luck and thanks for the recipe!!
Julie W says
not sure how the 'image' crept in there!
Emma Walton says
Thanks Julie I'm glad you enjoyed it! You're right, it really isn't the prettiest looking thing...but it sure does taste great! I hope your appointment with the dentist went well 🙂
You're right about the house stuff. I do just have to hold on in there. (And keep playing the lottery). That's interesting that you bought a repo though. We've been looking at a couple of auction sites in the area as you can get some fantastic deals. It may not be the happiest thing buying the estate of a deceased person or a bankrupt but if it's all you can do then I guess you just have to take what opportunities you can. Hopefully in 9 months - a year I'll be feeling a lot happier about this! Only time will tell as they say 🙂
Sarah says
Take comfort in the fact that you aren't alone on the housing front. I hope you find somewhere you'll both love eventually. 🙂 Your soup sounds divine. Bookmarked.
Emma Walton says
Thanks Sarah. I don't know if that comforts me or makes me more sad that a whole generation is affected! :-p must try and keep a positive outlook! Glad you like the soup. Let me know how you get on once you've made it 🙂
Jasmin Charlotte says
The London house market is a joke, I think me and Paul know that when we upsize it is probably going to require a move elsewhere. This soup looks really good though, I was looking for a different kind of soup to make so this is ideal! x
Emma Walton says
Thanks Jasmin. This is a little out there as soups go but seriously delicious! It's gutting knowing you don't have a choice isn't it 🙁 who knows maybe the market will crash...I can dream haha
Jo of Jo's Kitchen says
This looks delicious! Thank you for entering #SuperSoup
Emma Walton says
My pleasure. Thanks Jo! It really is tasty 🙂 the chilli kick also helps keep you warm this time of year 😉