Vegetarian Black Bean Soup

I love Panera Bread's black bean soup.  I especially love it served in a bread bowl, but for some reason I always end up at Panera on days with no black bean soup or when they're out of bread bowls.  Sad day lol.  So I decided to take matters into my own hands and make this vegetarian black bean soup at home. I love the subtle spiciness of the soup, and the delicious black beans filling out the soup and my belly.

I toss together the black bean soup when I'm home alone for lunch or when I need a fast filling meal.  I customize the soup with whatever I have on hand.  I love adding toppings such as cheese, avocado, and tortilla chips to customize the bowls of black bean soup.

Try making this black bean soup when you need a great lunch.  And make sure to include toppings! They really make this soup your own.

Black Bean soup

Author: Happy Food Happy Home

makes 2 servings

olive oil

¼ cup diced onion

1 teaspoon chili powder

1 cup vegetable broth

1 can black beans (do NOT drain)

½ cup cooked salsa

toppings-cheese, avocado, extra salsa, crumbled tortilla chips

1. Heat 2 glugs of olive oil in sauce pot over medium heat.
2. Dice onion and add to hot oil.  Cook for approx 5 minutes until onions are soft.
3. Add chili powder.  Toast for 30 seconds.
4. Add vegetable broth, black beans, and salsa.  Bring to a simmer.
5. Use a slotted spoon to remove ¾ of the black beans.
6. You can
• pour the remaining soup into a blender and blend until smooth.
• use an stick blender to blend until smooth.
• Use a potato masher to smoosh the beans remaining in the pot.  All these things help thicken the soup.
7. Add the beans you set aside back to the soup.  Stir everything together. 
8. Serve soup hot with your favorite toppings.

What is your favorite thing from Panera?  Do you have a favorite lunch you make when you're home alone?