Meal Planning for the Week + Black Bean Soup Recipe

Since the temperatures have cooled down a bit, I've been having fun making all of my favorite soups.  Black bean soup is probably our second favorite soup, with last week's tomato soup being the first.  Sunday and Monday evenings are usually a little crazy for us.  We have church on Sunday evenings, and then we each go to bible study on Mondays after work.  If we don't have something on hand that can be quickly microwaved, we usually end up having to get takeout; an option that I try to avoid because of the extra calories and money.

Soups work so well on Sundays because I can prepare them during the day, and keep them warm in the crockpot while we're out of the house.  When we return from church, dinner is ready to go.  This black bean soup recipe makes a lot, enough for at least three dinners and a couple of lunches, too.  This week I shared some of my soup with my sweet neighbor, Megan, since we had so much extra.  I also attached a little recipe card so that she could make it again.

Black Bean Soup 

EVOO
2 ribs celery, chopped
1 onion, chopped
1/2 bell pepper, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 cans black beans, drained and rinsed
2 T cumin
1 1/2 t coriander
1/2 t chipotle powder
1 box chicken broth
1 can diced tomatoes

Heat the EVOO over medium-high heat in a stock pot.  Add celery and onion, and cook for 5 minutes.  Add bell pepper and garlic, and cook a few minutes longer.  Reduce heat to medium,  add beans, spices, broth, and tomatoes.  Cook for 5 minutes longer and then process with an immersion blender until smooth.  Simmer for an additional 20 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste.  Serve topped with shredded cheese or sour cream (or both!).  These also go really well with quesadillas, which are perfect for dipping in the soup.


Here's Our Meal Plan for this Week:

Sunday- Black Bean Soup and Quesadillas with homemade Pico De Gallo
Monday-Black Bean Soup and Quesadillas with homemade Pico De Gallo
Tuesday-Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken with Spicy Asian Zucchini and salads with ginger dressing
Wednesday- Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken with Spicy Asian Zucchini and salads with ginger dressing
Thursday- Out to eat
Friday- Out to eat