Sprouted Cuban Black Bean Soup

By Bailey1_

Ingredients

• 2 cups dry black beans
• Filtered water to cover
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1/4 cup olive oil or grass-fed butter
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice or apple cider vinegar
• 6 slices bacon, GMO-free, sugar-free, cut in 1/2-inch pieces (optional)
• 3 green onions, diced
• 1/2 teaspoon unprocessed salt or more as needed to taste
• Freshly-ground black pepper to taste
• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar or lemon juice
• Garnish with chopped cilantro or green onion (optional)
• 1 red bell pepper, finely diced
• 2 teaspoons chili powder

Details

Servings 1
Adapted from janeshealthykitchen.com

Preparation

Step 1

Sprouting boosts protein content and reduces carbs. Sprouted beans are a potent source of vitamins, minerals, and enzymes, especially important in fall and winter. Sprouting sounds daunting, but really it’s so easy! See the 2-Steps.
1. Sort through the dry beans, removing any rocks. Rinse well. Put the beans into a quart Mason jar, and fill the jar 3/4 full with filtered water. Let it sit upright for 12 hours or overnight.

2. Then drain the water and rinse well. Put the jar upside down at an angle to allow air inside, so the beans can drain, in a darkened cupboard. I usually set it in a bowl - see photo. The beans need 3 days to sprout, so for 2 1/2 more days, rinse the beans daily and leave them upside down at an angle. You may see tiny roots coming out, or maybe not. This does not matter. At the end of 3 days, drain again, rinse well, and place the beans into a soup pot.

Make the Soup:

Cover the soaked beans with filtered water in the pot, and bring to a boil. Turn down to simmer. Meanwhile, add the onion, garlic, bay leaves, cumin, oregano, and oil. Add optional peppers, if desired. Do not add salt until the beans are soft enough to melt in your mouth - about 1 to 1 ½ hours. At that time, sauté the bacon - if using, and add to the soup. Add green onions and vinegar or lemon juice. Season to taste.