lentil & black bean soup

How To Make lentil & black bean soup

• Step 1
  START EARLY!!! Start with the black beans - soak them according to the instructions on the bag. I enjoy the manual prep-work of the trinity, so by the time I'm ready for the beans, they've had more than enough time to soak!
• Step 2
  THE TRINITY: Celery, Onion, Carrots My daughter does not like celery and I'm not so crazy about onion, so I dice those very small so neither of us can tell the difference while we are eating! So, chop them to your preferred sizes! As for the carrots, if you want a "cheat", buy the bag of julienned carrots in the produce section, rinse & go!
• Step 3
  In your large stock pot or dutch oven, saute' the celery, onion, and carrots in oil, over medium heat, until onions are clear.
• Step 4
  Add cumin, parsley, chives. (You'll notice I do not add salt/pepper while cooking. We add this at the table as desired.)
• Step 5
  Add broth & water. Bring to boil.
• Step 6
  Add lentils & black beans.
• Step 7
  Reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer all day, stirring occasionally.
• Step 8
  An hour or so before serving, cook the rice, separately, according to instructions. When tender, add to soup. (I do this to preserve the soup broth & ensure my rice is tender enough!)
• Step 9
  Allow to soup to cook/simmer for another 30 minutes or so. Serve with cornbread, toast or crackers. I have one child who eats it (& everything else) with sour cream, one who eats it with shredded cheese, and another who eats it with salsa! My husband likes a little bit of spice, so he adds jalapeno peppers - to avoid adding salt! Typically, I do not like left-overs; however, THIS IS GREAT the next day!!! If it is too thick, add more broth & heat over medium for 20 or so minutes and you're set! Delicious!
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