Although we had a cool start to the summer this month, we’re all too familiar with the upcoming high temperatures and humidity we’ll get over the next couple of months. If you’re like me, that’s why we try to find easy meals that take less time to fix, keeping our kitchens cooler and more comfortable.
We usually think of soup as something to warm us in cold weather, but this soup, made with refried beans, is ready in no time and is easy on the budget, as well as on the A/C.
This is a thick, smooth, flavorful soup, and I like to serve it along side a burrito. I also like to sprinkle the soup with Monterey Jack cheese and home-made tortilla strips. Add a dollop of guacamole and sour cream on the soup and it’s a refreshing, filling addition to any summer meal.
In addition, the soup is easy to freeze if you have any left over. Just heat it up and add the cheese, tortilla chips, guacamole and sour cream, and you’ve got another quick, tasty dish to serve. If you prefer cheddar cheese or perhaps a little more “punch” to your soup, you can use pepper jack cheese instead of the Monterey Jack. It’s all up to personal preference, but no matter which one you choose, this soup is a good alternative to the refried beans often served as a side dish.
REFRIED BEAN SOUP
1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 teaspoon minced garlic
2 (15-ounce) cans refried beans
1 (14-1/2 ounce) can chicken broth
1 tablespoon fresh minced cilantro
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon lime juice
5 corn tortillas (6-inches) cut into 1/2-inch strips, optional
4 ounces Monterey Jack cheese, optional
Guacamole, optional
Sour cream, optional
In a large saucepan, bring the tomatoes, onion and garlic to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes. Stir in the refried beans, broth, cilantro and salt and simmer for 15 minutes. Add lime juice.
If using tortilla strips, place strips on a baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes or until crisp. Garnish soup with tortilla strips, cheese, guacamole and sour cream, if desired. Makes 8 servings.
