Black Bean Soup

Last night was a busy night with Zumba and going to friends' house for a birthday celebration but I managed to make a pot of black bean soup in between work and Zumba. Since we had dinner with our friends (tacos---I skipped the shell and just made a salad), we will eat the soup tonight. Here's a pic:


I got the original recipe from the food network website:
* 10 slices bacon, finely chopped
* 2 medium onions, chopped (about 2 1/2 cups)
* 6 garlic cloves, pressed
* 1 (14 1/2-ounce) can reduced-sodium chicken broth
* 1 1/2 cups canned chopped tomatoes
* 2 tablespoons ketchup
* 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
* 1 tablespoon chili powder
* 4 (15 1/2-ounce) cans black beans, drained but not rinsed
* Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
* 1 bunch cilantro
* juice of 1/2 lime
* Thinly sliced scallions, for garnish
* Sour cream, for garnish
* Grated cheddar, for garnish

It tastes amazing the way the recipe is written but I have tweaked it the last 5 or 6 times I have made it. I always get rave reviews though. What I have done is left out the bacon, added bell peppers and corn. I don't usually put cheese on it but of course it is good that way. Whatever you do, don't leave out the cilantro, it makes this soup taste amazing! There is something about the smokey flavor of the Worcestershire that makes it so delicious though...give it a try, you won't be disappointed!