Easy Black Bean Soup

Yield: 6 cups

Prep: 5 mins
Start to Finish: 30 mins

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil
8 ounces cooked ham steak, cut into a 1/4-inch dice
1 cup chopped white onion plus 1/4 cup sliced white onion for garnish
3 15 ounce cans black beans, drained and rinsed
2 cups chicken broth
2 cups water
1 cup chopped cilantro plus sprigs for garnish

Directions

1. Heat oil in a 4- to 5-quart pot over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking and cook ham, stirring occasionally until golden, about 4 minutes. Add onion and continue to cook until onion is softened, about 2 minutes longer. Stir in beans, broth, water, and cilantro and bring to a simmer. Simmer soup, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes.

2. Transfer 1 cup of soup to a blender and puree until smooth. Return puree to pot with soup, stirring to combine. Season with pepper to taste. Serve soup in bowls garnished with sliced onion and cilantro sprigs.