The creative possibilities are endless when it comes to soups. You can take ingredients you have on hand, and, with some basic know-how, you have the ability to create one tasty recipe after another. The fundamental techniques are always there, but by adding the right complementary ingredients, you’ll end up with a good, solid soup every time.
Chicken Vegetable Soup with Black Beans and Brown Rice
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup chopped onion
½ cup chopped celery
½ cup diced carrots
2 cloves garlic, minced
Kosher salt
3 cans chicken broth
1 can diced tomatoes
1 bay leaf
½ teaspoon dried oregano
1 cup brown rice
1 teaspoon kosher salt
Fresh cracked black pepper
1 ½ cups chopped cooked chicken
1 cup black beans*
Sour cream
Fresh chopped parsley
Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium-low heat. Add onion, celery and carrots, and sauté for about 10 minutes, until carrots are tender. Sprinkle with a little kosher salt. Add garlic, and cook additional 1 minute. Add stock, tomatoes, bay leaf, and oregano. Stir, and add brown rice, salt and pepper. Simmer for about 45 minutes until rice is tender. Add chicken and black beans. Heat through. Top with a dollop of sour cream and fresh chopped parsley.
Garnish Ideas: Sour cream, grated cheese, chopped fresh parsley.
* Any beans will work--or try a combination of your favorites.
