Black Bean Chili Soup with Homemade Tortilla Chips

Here’s this weeks soup.  It goes great with the homemade tortilla chips.  You can either use uncooked beans or just use a can of beans.

Ingredients:

• 12         ounces sorted uncooked black turtle beans(frijoles negros),  rinsed or 1 can.
•             Water
• 2            tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 2            cups chopped onions
• 2            tablespoons chopped seeded green chili pepper
• 6            garlic cloves, minced
• 2            cups canned Italian tomatoes (with liquid); drain, seed, and dice tomatoes, reserving liquid
• 2            teaspoons Watkins Cumin
• 1            teaspoon each Watkins Chili Powder and Watkins Coriander
• 1/2         teaspoon Watkins Crushed Red Pepper
• 2            cups plain low-fat yogurt
• 2            cans (15 ounce) tomatoes
• 1            pound Italian Sausage or Bratwurst

Directions:

1. If using dry beans, in medium mixing bowl combine beans with enough  water to cover beans by 2 inches.  Cover bowl with plastic wrap and let stand overnight.
2. In 4-quart saucepan heat oil over medium heat; brown Italian Sausage or Bratwurst with onions, chili pepper, and garlic and saute, stirring occasionally, until onions are softened.
3. Drain beans, discard soaking liquid, and add beans to saucepan along with 1 quart plus 3 cups water and the remaining ingredients except yogurt;
4. Mix well and bring to a boil. ( If using canned beans drain and follow directions above)
5. Reduce heat to low, cover pan, and let simmer, stirring occasionally, until beans are tender, about 2 hours.
6. Remove from heat and let cool.
7. Pour 1 to 2 cups soup into blender container and process until smooth.
8. Transfer mixture to a 1-quart bowl and repeat procedure, 1 to 2 cups at a time, until half of the soup has been processed.
9. Pour soup back into saucepan with unprocessed soup and cook over medium heat until soup is heated through, 5 to 10 minutes.
10. Serve each portion topped with 1/4 cup yogurt.

This is good even when you don’t use the blender on the beans.Makes 8 servings.

Homemade Tortilla Chips Ingredients:

• 12         corn tortillas
•             salt (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
2. Spray 2 cookie sheets with no-stick spray.
3. Stack the tortillas and cut the stack into six wedges.
4. Place the tortillas on the prepared cookie sheets in a single layer.
5. Lightly spray with no-stick spray.
6. If desired, light sprinkle with the salt.
7. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until lightly browned and crisp.*

Makes 72 chips: 12 servings.

*Sprinkle a sugar and cinnamon mixture instead of the salt for a sweet snack.

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1. Hearty Kidney Bean Soup
2. Garden Corn and Black Bean Salad
3. You Gotta Try Cheesy Green Bean Casserole
4. Italian Sausage and Vegetable Soup
5. A Weekend Delight: Taco Twist Soup