With bean soup, it’s crunch time
Crunch, crunch, grind, grind. I am addicted to mouth noise.
Yes, flavor and aroma are important. But for crunch lovers, foods with noisy-crisp textures offer the most satisfaction.
When it comes to pureed soup, I add a crunchy garnish. I pass the garnishes at the table so guests can add the crunch-makers at the last minute. My favorites include crumbled tortilla chips, crostini and Corn Nuts or corn nut-like kernels (toasted or roasted or fried corn kernels — my favorite brand is Inka Corn, sold at natural food stores or Trader Joe’s).
Quick Black Bean Soup With Noisy Garnishes
Yield: 4 small servings
INGREDIENTS
1 1⁄2 teaspoons jerk seasoning, see cook’s notes
2 (15- to 16-ounce) cans black beans, drained
1 1⁄4 cups vegetable broth or chicken broth 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
Garnishes: drizzle of heavy whipping cream
Corn nuts or popcorn or broken tortilla chips Wedges of fresh lime
Optional garnish: small sprigs of fresh cilantro
Cook’s notes: Jerk seasoning is a spice mix used in Jamaican barbecue. The one I use is McCormick’s Jamaican Jerk Seasoning in a 2-ounce glass jar. If you prefer, you can omit the jerk seasoning and season the bean soup to taste with hot sauce, such as Sriracha or Frank’s RedHot, and then top each portion with some chopped cilantro. It won’t have the same depth of flavor, but it will be very good. Sometimes before serving, I put some heavy whipping cream in a teaspoon and dribble a little cream on top of each serving of soup.
PROCEDURE
1: Stir jerk seasoning blend in heavy-bottomed, medium-size saucepan over medium heat until fragrant and slightly darkened, about 2-3 minutes. Place mixture in food processor. Add beans, broth and oil and process until pureed. Transfer to same saucepan and heat to a boil, stirring occasionally. Mix in lime juice. Add salt and/or freshly ground black pepper to taste. 2: Ladle into small bowls. Garnish each bowl with a drizzle of cream or a dollop of sour cream. Accompany on the side with a bowl of Corn Nuts or broken tortilla chips for garnishing. Also provide lime wedges for optional squeezing. And if you like, provide small sprigs of cilantro.