Soup -Black Bean Chipotle and Cocoa

In the winter months, I spend a lot of my time making soup. Soup is the ultimate comfort food. Often my first thought when i wake up in the morning is 'what soup will I make today'?

I am a big fan of back beans and although I said I wouldn't give away my black bean burrito recipe, I have had a special request for a black bean soup recipe. The recipe is for Iggy who must have eaten a large proportion of the pot i made last week.

Some of the ingredients are hard to find particularly the chipotles. Chipotles are smoked jalapenos they give the soup a lovely smokey flavor. In the next few days I will post a list of specialty suppliers..If anyone is desperate to make the soup right away they can buy some chipotles at the cafe.

I have had to cut down quantities as the pot I make at the cafe usually serves about 60. This recipe serves 4-6. In my opinion it's not worth making much less.. if it's too much freeze some or give some away to your friends or neighbors. Soup is a pot of happiness, much nicer sometimes than flowers.

Black Bean Chipotle and Cocoa Soup

500 gr of black turtle beans.
I tin of tomatoes
4tbs of double concentrate tomato puree
3 large cloves of garlic
6 tbs of cumin
2 chipotle chillies + 3 spoons of adobe sauce
1 tsp of salt
1 decent size glass of red wine. (optional)
3-4tbs of chopped coriander
3 litres of water.
Square of dark chocolate about 1 inch in size.


Soak beans overnight- drain.
Peel and thinly cut 3 onions
Put them in a large pot and cook in oil until translucent
Add the beans to the pot cover with the water.
Add the three garlic cloves.
Bring to a boil then simmer for an hour or until the beans are tender.

Add the tin of tomatoes
the chillies, wine, and salt.

Blend the whole mix either in a mixer, blender or with a mixing stick.
Return to the saucepan. Add the dark chocolate. Add the cumin. Before serving top with chopped coriander.