Chipotle and Black Bean Soup

This is the kind of soup that makes you feel healthier after eating it. It is chock full of nutritious vegetables and loaded with black beans.  This is a hearty vegetarian soup that will satisfy even the hungriest carnivore. We love our meats but every once in a while nothing is better than treating our bodies to the healthiest ingredients. Dave and the boys didn't ask once where the meat was....so if that's the case I know I did a good job choosing the right vegetarian dish. I made this crockpot recipe to take with us while we were skiing this weekend with our friends Heather, Michael and their daughter Ani. The ski lodge was packed today because it was President's Day weekend, plus it was a Canadian Holiday as well. So trying to find a table to eat lunch was not an easy feat. People get all crazy trying to save seats in the lodge especially on crowded weekends like this. Families who ski will sometimes bring along a family member who doesn't ski just to save tables! This one woman was sitting at a 10 person table with 100's of pictures scattered about trying to scrapbook!!!  I wanted to say "honey go join a Creative Memories group and do your scrapbooking. These tables are for skiers not for scrapbookers!" So ridiculous! Luckily Dave spotted us a table and sprinted to it before anyone else could. So the eight of us were able to sit down and enjoy our warm Chipotle and Black Bean Soup. Everyone loved it! And rather than a ski meal making you feel full and sluggish, this meal made you feel full of energy! And it's the easiest crockpot recipe! Salute to a Chipotle and Black Bean Soup that make you feel healthy!

Chipotle and Black Bean Soup (Click to print recipe)

Serves 8-10

Ingredients:

• 3 15 oz cans of black beans and liquid in can
• 1 green pepper diced
• 1 yellow pepper diced
• 1 medium onion diced
• 1 tb minced garlic
• 1 15 oz can diced tomatoes
• 3 tb tomato paste
• 4 t ground cumin
• 8 cups of vegetable broth
• 1 small can diced chipotle chilies
• 1 small can of diced jalapeño pepper

Garnish:

• fresh minced cilantro
• plain greek yogurt or sour cream
• shredded cheddar cheese

In a crockpot add all of the ingredients and cook on high for 4 hours. Yes, it's that simple! When ready to serve add a dollop of greek yogurt, cheese and cilantro.

Food Impressions:

Nate: "Zesty and delicious." Had 3 bowls!!!

Tyler: "Mommy everything you make is so good." (He has been telling me this a lot lately...he knows it makes me smile)

Zachary: "Pass the cheese please." (Yes, he loaded his soup with cheese..don't forget he is my cheese lover.)

Dave: "Delicious, hearty and satisfying." 

Andrea: This was a meal that you don't feel guilty having seconds or even thirds. It's truly a recipe that makes you feel good. After everyone said how much they liked it, I felt compelled to tell them how incredibly healthy it was too!

Michael: "Wow this is fantastic. Soooo good."

Heather: "This is so delicious. A perfect lunch while skiing."

Nate coring a strawberry with a straw!
Our entertainment at the ski lodge

Nate, this ingenious idea of yours has made us
very very proud parents!