Pinto Bean Soup

posted by Linda in San Diego 01-05-100 11:48 AM

Pinto Bean Soup

1 1/2 cup dried pintos, soaked overnight or speed soaked can also use canned equivalent
1 Tbl. safflower oil
1 tsp. whole cumin
1 tsp. finely minced garlic
2 cups coarsely chopped onions
1 large red bell, seeded and diced
1 1/2 cup fresh or frozen (defrosted) corn kernels
1 1/2 tsp. dried oregano
1 dried chipotle pepper, stemmed seeded snipped into bits or 1-2 jalapenos or generous pinch crushed red pepper flakes
4 cup boiling water
2 Tbl. tomato paste
1/2 cup minced fresh coriander or parsley
1-2 Tbl. freshly squeezed lime juice
salt and freshly ground pepper.
1 ripe or firm avocado, 1/2 inch dice


Drain and rinse beans; set aside.

Heat oil, sizzle cumin seeds over medium heat just until they begin to pop 5-10 seconds. Add the garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until the garlic turns light brown. Immediately add the onion and red bell pepper and cook, stirring frequently, for 1 minute.

Add the reserved beans, corn, oregano, chipotle, and water. Lock lid in place. Over high heat, bring to high pressure. Lower the heat just enough to maintain high pressure and cook for 8 minutes. Allow pressure to drop naturally or use quick release method.

Remove the lid. Simmer beans until done if they aren’t quite cooked. With a slotted spoon, transfer a generous cupful of beans to a food processor (or puree all of soup) and puree with tomato paste. Stir back into soup. Add the coriander, lime juice, salt and pepper. Gently stir in avocado just before serving.

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