A Healthy Meal of Crock Pot Black Bean Soup Recipe:

Instructions

1. Prepare the Beans: If using dried beans, rinse well under cold water and soak overnight (or at least 6-8 hours) in a big bowl of water. Drain before use.
2. If short on time: Use the quick-soak method, place beans in a pot with water, boil it up, then remove from heat and let sit for an hour. Drain, and you are good to go. If using canned beans, just rinse and drain them.
3. Combine Ingredients in the Crock Pot: Add your soaked, dried beans or canned ones into your slow cooker. Add the diced onion and garlic. Add the bell pepper and jalapeño. Then comes the cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, coriander, salt, and black pepper. Open that can of tomatoes (with juice) and pour it all in along with vegetable broth. Mix everything up well. Pop in a bay leaf, then slap that lid on tight.
4. Cook the Soup: Set the Crock Pot on low flame; cook for about 6-8 hours. Cook on high (4-5 hrs). By end, beans should be soft and flavors well-blended. For thicker soup, use an immersion blender right there or take out about two cups and blenderize them till smooth. Return back in stir.
5. Finish and Serve: Stir (fresh zesty flavor boost-lime juice). Ladle out into bowls and top with sliced avocado, fresh cilantro, sour cream (yogurt), shredded cheese, tortilla chips, and mix-n-match toppings. Serve with fresh lime squeeze or dash hot sauce.

Tips and Variations:

1. Make It Spicier: Add some seeds from jalapeños.
2. More veggies: diced carrots, zucchini, and corn boost nutrition—extra toss-ins’s.
3. Protein Boost: Filling yet more so by tofu, tempeh, shredded chicken, and turkey.
4. Creamy Style: Add coconut milk towards end-time for a creamy version.
5. Freezing Leftovers: Soup freezes wonderfully. Cool completely in airtight containers and store or freeze (maximum 3 months). Overnight thaw fridge-warm stovetop later, thickens and blends extra bit leaves uncovered for last half-hour.
6. Adding Grains: Rice, quinoa, and barley make soups healthier and heartier.

Nutrition Information (approximate per serving):

• Calories: You will get 250 calories with this meal.
• Protein: An amount of 14 g of protein is obtained with this meal, in which protein is very important for muscle repair and growth.
• Fat: An amount of 9 g is served, which helps you to keep on the diet track.
• Carbohydrates: Carbohydrates are the fuel source of the brain; here, 42 g of carbohydrates is obtained.
• Sugars: A 5g of sugar is contained here depending on the fruits and honey used.
• Fiber: 15 g of fiber is obtained here.
• Cholesterol: 15 mg of cholesterol is gained here.
• Sodium: 500 g of sodium is used.