Swedish Black Soup

Ingredients

• 2 cups (400g) black beans, soaked overnight 2 cups (400g) black beans, soaked overnight
• 4 slices bacon, diced 4 slices bacon, diced
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground allspice 1 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf 1 bay leaf
• 4 cups (950ml) chicken or vegetable broth 4 cups (950ml) chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 cup (240ml) sour cream 1 cup (240ml) sour cream
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, for garnish Fresh parsley, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 12g, 5g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 45g, 3g
• Protein: 15g
• Fiber: 12g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Drain and rinse the soaked black beans.
2. 2.
   In a large pot, cook the diced bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon from the pot and set aside, leaving the bacon fat in the pot.
3. 3.
   Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the pot and sauté until translucent.
4. 4.
   Add the black beans, allspice, thyme, bay leaf, and broth to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 1 hour or until the beans are tender.
5. 5.
   Remove the bay leaf from the pot and discard.
6. 6.
   Using an immersion blender or a regular blender, puree the soup until smooth.
7. 7.
   Return the soup to the pot and stir in the sour cream. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
8. 8.
   Heat the soup over low heat until warmed through.
9. 9.
   Serve the Swedish Black Soup hot, garnished with crispy bacon and fresh parsley.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Black beans — Soaking the black beans overnight helps to reduce their cooking time and ensures a tender texture. If you're short on time, you can also use canned black beans, but make sure to rinse them thoroughly before using.
• Bacon — Choose a high-quality bacon with a good balance of fat and meat for the best flavor. Crisping the bacon before adding it to the soup adds a delightful crunch and smoky taste.

Tips & Tricks

• For a vegetarian version, omit the bacon and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
• To make the soup even creamier, you can add a dollop of sour cream on top of each serving.
• Serve the Swedish Black Soup with a side of crusty bread or Swedish crispbread for a satisfying meal.
• If you prefer a chunkier texture, you can reserve some cooked black beans before pureeing the soup and add them back in at the end.
• Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop, adding a splash of broth if needed to thin out the soup.

Serving advice

Serve the Swedish Black Soup in individual bowls, garnished with crispy bacon and a sprinkle of fresh parsley. Accompany it with a slice of crusty bread or Swedish crispbread for a complete and satisfying meal.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation of the Swedish Black Soup, consider serving it in a rustic-style bowl or a traditional Swedish soup tureen. Sprinkle some additional fresh parsley on top for a pop of color.