Bowl of Red Bean Vegetable Soup
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Red Bean Vegetable Soup


El Salvador   -   Sopa de Frijoles Rojos con Verduras
Makes:
Effort:
Sched:
DoAhead:  		 8 cups
***
3-1/4 hrs
Yes		 A substantial, nutritious, and very enjoyable soup for omnivore and vegetarian alike. It reheats very well.

1-1/2
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8
4
3
7
2
1/2
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8
7
8
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1/2
1/2
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1
7
2
c
---
oz
oz
cl
oz
oz
c
---
oz
oz
oz
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T
t
---
T
c

Red Beans, dry (1)  
-- Sofrito
Tomatoes
Onion
Garlic
Bell Pepper grn
Celery
Cilantro
-- Vegies
Carrots
Chayote (2)
Potato
-- Seasonings
Salt
Pepper
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Oil
Water
Bay Leaves 		Do Ahead   -   (9+ hrs - 5 min work)
  1. Place BEANS in a jar with 4 cups of water and 1/2 Tablespoon Salt (yes, salt). Soak Overnight. Drain, rinse well and drain again.
Prep   -   (40 min)
  1. Scald TOMATOES one minute in boiling water. Quench in cold water and peel. Cut into 3/4 inch dice.
  2. Chop ONION small. Crush GARLIC and chop small. Chop CELERY small. Dice BELL PEPPER about 1/4 inch. Mix all.
  3. Chop CILANTRO small.
  4. Mix all Sofrito items.
  5. Peel CARROT and slice about 1/4 inch thick. Peel CHAYOTE and cut into slices 1/4 inch thick and 3/4 inch square. Peel POTATO and cut into about 3/4 inch cubes. Mix all.
Run   -   (2-1/2 hrs)
  1. In a saucepan sufficient for the whole recipe (4 quart), heat Oil. Stir in Sofrito mix and fry, stirring often, until most liquid has evaporated and Onions are translucent.
  2. Stir in Bay Leaves, Beans and 7 cups Water. Bring to a boil and simmer covered until beans are tender - 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 hrs depending on age.
  3. Stir in Vegie mix and all Seasoning items. Bring back to a boil and simmer covered until Chayote is tender, about 20 min.
  4. Serve hot with Steamed Rice or Bread.
NOTES:

  1. Red Beans:

      In Central America, Red Beans are small, larger than Black Beans, but smaller than Great Northerns. They are also used in the Caribbean and Louisiana. I use Small Red Beans available in the multi-ethnic markets here in Southern California, but they are also available in some supermarkets and on-line.

  2. Chayote:

      It's a close relative of squash, but its appearance and cooking properties are much different. It's from Central America, but now grown worldwide and easily available in North America. For details see our Chayote page.
  3. U.S. measure: t=teaspoon, T=Tablespoon, c=cup, qt=quart, oz=ounce, #=pound, cl=clove in=inch tt=to taste ar=as required
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