40 Meatless Meals: Black Bean Soup

A simple slow cooker black bean soup pairs well with pumpkin bread for a nutritionally balanced Good Friday meal. I have often frozen the pumpkin bread with excellent results, so this meal can require very little hands on time on this somber day.

Slow Cooker Black Bean Soup (Serves 4-6)

1 lb dried black beans, soaked overnight and drained

7 cups water or vegetable broth

1 lb frozen corn

1 T olive oil

1 onion, minced

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 red bell pepper, diced

1 t cumin

1 t oregano

1 t lime juice

salt and pepper to taste

Plain yogurt and grated cheese for garnish, optional

Combine beans and water in slow cooker and cook for eight hours on low. Right before serving, add corn to crock. In a skillet, sautee remaining onion, garlic, and peppers until tender, then add to crock. Season; garnish before serving, if desired.

Pumpkin bread notes: I usually bake the batter for Smitten Kitchen pumpkin muffins (whole wheat version, with dried cranberries) in a greased loaf pan at 375 for 70 minutes.