Sunday, November 10, 2013

Lazy Girl Black Bean Smoked Pork Soup


Black beans, spicy tomatoes and smoky ham, all simmered into a hearty soup for everyone to enjoy.  This one is easy to make and go do something more fun with your day while its cooking away.  You don't have to use a smoked ham hock, but they are cheap and easy to find at most grocery stores.  You could also use any kind of chopped up ham, or shredded pork if you have that instead.
 
I love my crock pot.  Love, love, love it.
I almost want another... though it doesn't make much sense to have two crockpots in a house with two people, does it? I'd have to open a soup kitchen, or something.

We use our crock pot about every week, or so.  I especially like to make a pot of soup while I am off doing something fun on a weekend day.  That way, dinner is ready when we get home, AND we have lots of soup to use for lunches during the week. Or better yet, freeze it in 4 cup containers and have it for another dinner in a week or two.



Serves 6-8 
Ingredients

1 lb. dry black beans
1/2 cup long grain rice
4 cups chicken, or beef, stock
4 cups water
1 can Rotel tomatoes with chilies
1 cup onion, diced
1 cup celery, diced
2 jalapeno's, minced (optional but recommended)
1-2 cups smoked pork shank, or ham, diced
1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
Salt & pepper

This smoked ham hock was bought for $4 at my local grocery store.  Easy, cheap. You add the entire pork leg into the soup to cook.  It adds a ton of flavor while it cooks. How easy is that?



Add in all the ingredients, except the salt and pepper (that comes later on...).
Turn on your crock pot to "high" and cook for 6 hours... or, do "low" for 8-10 hours.



Here's what is looked like when we got home from our Sunday adventures....  I have already taken the ham hock out (see below).



The hardest part of this soup?
Taking the bone out of the soup, and chopping up the meat.  Discard the bones and any large fat pieces, and add the chopped meat back into the soup.  Reheat, if needed, or serve at once.
Serve with a little dollop of sour cream, if desired.




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