Hearty Vegetarian 15 Bean Delight
This Hearty Vegetarian 15 Bean Delight is a comforting and flavorful soup that bursts with the richness of various beans, fragrant spices, and the freshness of vegetables. Inspired by my quest for a vegetarian-friendly bean soup, I've crafted this custom seasoning blend to elevate the dish beyond just beans and broth. The blend of tomatoes and a splash of lemon juice adds a delightful acidity that balances the creaminess of the beans, while the medley of spices ensures every spoonful is packed with warmth and flavor. Perfect as a main course or a starter, serve it with some crusty bread or warm popovers for a complete meal!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
17
Ingredients
Ingredients
15 bean soup mix
1 7/8 lbs (soaked overnight, drained and rinsed)
low sodium vegetable broth
1 quart (none)
olive oil
1 tablespoon (none)
onion
1 large (chopped)
garlic
1 clove (chopped)
celery ribs
2 (thinly sliced)
carrots
2 (thinly sliced)
diced tomatoes
1 (15 ounce) can (undrained)
lemon juice
8 tablespoons (about 2 lemons worth)
bay leaves
2 (none)
Tabasco sauce
3 dashes (none)
oregano
1 tablespoon (none)
chili powder
2 teaspoons (none)
ground thyme
2 teaspoons (none)
cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon (none)
ground black pepper
1/2 tablespoon (none)
salt
1/2 tablespoon (none)
Instructions
1
Begin by soaking the bean mix overnight in water, or for at least 8 hours. Once soaked, drain and rinse the beans thoroughly.
2
In a large pot, add the soaked beans and cover them with 2 quarts of fresh water. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer. Cook the beans until just tender, which typically takes about 1.5 hours. Optionally, you can use a slow cooker or pressure cooker for this step.
3
While the beans are simmering, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic and sauté until they turn golden brown and fragrant, about 5-7 minutes.
4
Once the beans are tender, carefully drain half of the cooking water from the pot. Then, add the sautéed onion and garlic mixture into the pot along with the diced tomatoes (with their juices), vegetable broth, lemon juice, and all the spices and seasonings: bay leaves, Tabasco sauce, oregano, chili powder, ground thyme, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and salt.
5
Stir well to combine all the ingredients and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Reduce the heat and let it simmer, uncovered, for 40-60 minutes, stirring occasionally. Taste and adjust the seasonings as necessary.
6
Once finished, remove the bay leaves and serve the soup hot, accompanied by crusty bread or popovers for dipping.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Vegetarian 15 Bean Delight?
It is a comforting and flavorful soup that features a variety of beans, fragrant spices, and fresh vegetables like carrots and celery.
How long should the bean mix be soaked?
The 15 bean soup mix should be soaked overnight or for at least 8 hours before cooking.
Is this recipe suitable for vegans?
Yes, the recipe uses vegetable broth and olive oil, and it is tagged as having a vegan option.
What are the primary seasonings used in this soup?
The seasoning blend includes bay leaves, Tabasco sauce, oregano, chili powder, ground thyme, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and salt.
Can I use a pressure cooker to cook the beans?
Yes, using a pressure cooker or a slow cooker is an optional step for cooking the beans until tender.
How much vegetable broth is required?
The recipe calls for 1 quart of low sodium vegetable broth.
Do I need to drain the beans after soaking?
Yes, once the beans have soaked for the required time, you should drain and rinse them thoroughly.
Why is lemon juice included in the recipe?
Lemon juice adds acidity that helps balance the creaminess of the beans and enhances the overall flavor.
How many lemons do I need for the juice?
You will need approximately 8 tablespoons of lemon juice, which is roughly the amount from two lemons.
How long does the initial bean cooking take?
Cooking the beans in water typically takes about 1.5 hours to reach a tender state.
What is the first step in preparing the vegetables?
The first vegetable step is to sauté chopped onion and garlic in olive oil until golden brown and fragrant.
Do I keep all the cooking water in the pot?
No, once the beans are tender, you should carefully drain half of the cooking water before adding the other ingredients.
What type of tomatoes should be used?
The recipe calls for one 15-ounce can of diced tomatoes, and they should be added with their juices.
How long should the soup simmer after all ingredients are combined?
The mixture should simmer uncovered for 40 to 60 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Should the bay leaves be eaten?
No, you should remove the bay leaves from the soup before serving.
What are some suggested side dishes?
This soup is perfect when served with crusty bread or warm popovers for dipping.
Is this soup considered a main course?
Yes, it is described as a hearty meal that is perfect as a main course or a starter.
What is the texture of the soup?
The soup is creamy due to the variety of beans but balanced by the acidity of tomatoes and lemon juice.
Can I adjust the spice level?
Yes, you can taste and adjust the seasonings, including the Tabasco and cayenne pepper, during the final simmer.
How much 15 bean soup mix is used?
The recipe requires 1 7/8 lbs of the bean mix.
What preparation is needed for the carrots?
The carrots should be thinly sliced before being added to the soup.
What preparation is needed for the celery?
The two celery ribs should be thinly sliced.
How much olive oil is used?
One tablespoon of olive oil is used for sautéing the aromatics.
How much salt and black pepper are in the recipe?
The recipe uses 1/2 tablespoon of salt and 1/2 tablespoon of ground black pepper.
What kind of onion is required?
One large onion, chopped, is needed for the recipe.
How much garlic is used?
The recipe calls for one clove of garlic, chopped.
What are the specific tags for this recipe?
The tags include vegetarian, soup, bean, comfort food, healthy, easy recipe, vegan option, and hearty meal.
How much oregano is used?
One tablespoon of oregano is included in the seasoning blend.
How much chili powder and ground thyme are needed?
The recipe uses 2 teaspoons of chili powder and 2 teaspoons of ground thyme.
What is the total number of ingredients?
There are 17 ingredients used in this Hearty Vegetarian 15 Bean Delight recipe.