Smokey Black Bean Soup

== Ingredients ==
* 2 tbsp olive oil
* 1 medium onion, finely chopped (1 cup)
* 1 stalk celery, finely chopped
* ½ medium green pepper, chopped
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 2 tsp ground cumin
* 1 tsp dried oregano
* 1½ cups black beans, soaked and drained
* 14½ oz can diced tomatoes, preferably fire-roasted
* 2 chipotle chiles in adobo sauce
* 2 tbsp sherry
* 3 corn tortillas, cut into ¼-inch-wide strips
* ½ ripe avocado, cut into small dice
* lime cream
== Directions ==
# In large pot, heat 1 tbsp oil over medium heat.
# Add onion, celery and green pepper, and cook, stirring often, until vegetables are softened, about 10 minutes.
# Add garlic, cumin and oregano, and cook, stirring often, until fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes.
# Add beans and 6 cups water.
# Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer, partially covered, until beans are tender, about 1¾ hours.
# Add 1½ tsp salt.
# With slotted spoon, transfer 1 cup beans to food processor or blender.
# Add tomatoes and chipotles, and process until smooth.
# Return mixture to pot.
# Stir in sherry, increase heat and bring soup to a boil.
# Reduce heat.
# Simmer about 15 minutes to reduce liquid.
# Meanwhile, in large nonstick skillet, heat remaining 1 tbsp oil over medium heat.
# Add tortilla strips in batches, and toss frequently and gently (for best results, use tongs) to brown evenly, about 3 minutes.
# Adjust heat as necessary.
# Remove to paper towels to blot excess oil.
# Place tortilla strips, avocado and lime cream in separate small bowls.
# Serve soup hot with garnishes along side.
== Variation ==
# To make this soup in a pressure cooker, heat 1 tbsp oil in pressure cooker.
# Add onion, celery and green pepper.
# Cook, stirring often, over medium-low heat until vegetables are softened, about 10 minutes.
# Add garlic, cumin and oregano, and cook another few minutes, until fragrant.
# Add beans and 4 cups water, and cover.
# Bring to a boil, lock lid into place, and bring to high pressure.
# Cook over high pressure 15 minutes.
# Turn off heat, and let beans return to pressure naturally.
# Remove lid, and add 1½ tsp salt.
# Proceed with step 7, above.
Category:Avocado Recipes
Category:Black bean Recipes
Category:Chipotle pepper Recipes
Category:Green bell pepper Recipes
Category:Sherry Recipes
Category:Tomato Recipes
Category:Tortilla Recipes
Category:Vegetarian Soup Recipes