White and Black Soup
Notes: This recipe has been adapted from Cafe Pasqual's Cookbook, by Katharine Kagel (Chronicle Books, San Francisco, 1993).
How to Make It
Step 1
1
Sort beans for debris, then rinse. Bring beans and 2 quarts water to a boil over high heat in a 5- to 6-quart pan. Cover, boil for 2 minutes, and remove from heat. Beans are ready to cook after soaking for 2 hours, but are more digestible after 4 hours. Drain and rinse beans.
Step 2
2
In a 6- to 8-quart pan, bring 7 cups water and beans to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, 45 minutes.
Step 3
3
Meanwhile, in a 10- to 12-inch frying pan over medium-high heat, stir bacon often until browned, about 5 minutes. Lift bacon from pan; drain on towels.
Step 4
4
Discard all but 3 tablespoons fat from pan. Add chilies and onion; stir often until onion is brown, about 5 minutes. Stir in brandy.
Step 5
5
Add mixture to beans, plus bacon, salt, and pepper. Simmer, covered, until beans are tender, about 30 minutes.
Step 6
6
Ladle soup into bowls. Spoon black beans on top of soup. Garnish with cilantro.
Ingredients
2 cups (14 oz.) dried white beans such as Flageolet, Cannellini, or White Aztec
1/2 pound diced smoked bacon (preferably applewood-smoked)
1/4 cup minced fresh serrano chilies
1/2 cup minced onion
1 cup brandy
1 teaspoon salt (optional)
1/2 teaspoon pepper
About 1 cup cooked black beans, heated
Finely chopped fresh cilantro
Directions
Step 1
1
Sort beans for debris, then rinse. Bring beans and 2 quarts water to a boil over high heat in a 5- to 6-quart pan. Cover, boil for 2 minutes, and remove from heat. Beans are ready to cook after soaking for 2 hours, but are more digestible after 4 hours. Drain and rinse beans.
Step 2
2
In a 6- to 8-quart pan, bring 7 cups water and beans to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, 45 minutes.
Step 3
3
Meanwhile, in a 10- to 12-inch frying pan over medium-high heat, stir bacon often until browned, about 5 minutes. Lift bacon from pan; drain on towels.
Step 4
4
Discard all but 3 tablespoons fat from pan. Add chilies and onion; stir often until onion is brown, about 5 minutes. Stir in brandy.
Step 5
5
Add mixture to beans, plus bacon, salt, and pepper. Simmer, covered, until beans are tender, about 30 minutes.
Step 6
6
Ladle soup into bowls. Spoon black beans on top of soup. Garnish with cilantro.
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