Pinto Bean Soup With Salsa Fresca Recipes

PINTO BEAN SOUP WITH FRESH SALSA

Steps:

• Sort through the beans and discard any misshapen beans or stones. Rinse well. Place the beans in a saucepan and add the water. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to medium low, cover and simmer until the smallest bean is cooked through and creamy inside, about 1 ½ hours. Remove from the heat and set aside.
• In a large saucepan over medium heat, warm the vegetable oil. Add the onions, salt and pepper and sauté until the onions are lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Add the garlic and sauté for 1 to 2 minutes longer. Add the beans and their liquid and the stock or water. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to medium and simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the beans start to break apart, 20 to 30 minutes. Remove the beans from the heat and let cool slightly.
• For the salsa:.
• In a bowl, stir together the tomatoes, onion, cilantro, lime juice and salt and pepper to taste. Cover and refrigerate until you are ready to serve.
• Working in batches, transfer the bean mixture to a blender and puree until smooth. Transfer the puree to a clean saucepan and reheat over reheat over low heat, stirring frequently, until hot. (If not serving immediately, keep warm over very low heat, stirring often).
• Ladle the soup into warmed shallow bowls and top each serving with a spoonful of salsa and a dollop of crema or sour cream.

PINTO BEAN SOUP WITH SALSA FRESCA

Steps:

• To make the salsa, mix all the ingredients together in a glass bowl. Add salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste and reserve, covered, in the refrigerator.
• Place the beans and water in a soup pot over high heat and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook, covered, until the beans are soft, about 1 1/2 hours. Remove from the heat.
• In a large, heavy saucepan, heat the oil over medium heat. Cook the onions, salt and pepper together, stirring occasionally for about 10 minutes, until lightly browned. Add garlic and cook for a few minutes longer. Add the beans and their liquid, and the chicken stock. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, for an additional 20 to 30 minutes.
• Transfer the mixture to a blender and puree in batches until smooth. Keep warm in a pot over low heat, stirring frequently, until ready to serve. Serve in warm soup bowls with a spoonful of the salsa fresca and a dollop of sour cream.

PINTO BEAN SOUP

Steps:

• Rinse beans and sort for stones.
• Soak beans in enough water to cover overnight.
• Drain off water.
• In skillet, brown bacon.
• Add onion and celery, stir.
• Add spices.
• Add this mixture to drained beans.
• Pour enough water to reach within 3 inches of top of pot.
• Bring to a boil.
• Simmer for 4-5 hours, stirring occasionally.
• When soup is about ready to serve, use a potato masher to crush up some of the beans to make a thicker soup.