This weekend, I got a text from a good friend and client. She was making one of my recipes, and sent me this pic:
She said, “can you tell I make this a lot?”
Well, yes!
And seeing this black bean spattered recipe from a PDF cookbook I created five years ago made me so happy!
Here's why…
My love for Ina Garten
One of my all time favorite culinary icons is Ina Garten, a.k.a. Barefoot Contessa. Her Food Network show is basically how I learned how to cook years ago. We had a small TV in our kitchen, and I'd be cooking side-by-side with her most nights while I waited for my husband to get home from work.
I loved her easy manner in the kitchen — nothing too fancy or complicated or intimidating, no stress. And she made entertaining look so simple and easy — which is much appreciated by someone who tends to overthink basically everything!
Ina has had a huge influence on my work as a healthy cooking coach and recipe creator. When people try my recipes, I'm always hoping they'll find that Ina-inspired magical combo of simple and straightforward preparation, along with big and satisfying flavor.
As Ina says, “food is not about impressing people. It's about making them feel comfortable.”
I love that so much: food that makes people feel comfortable.
Which brings me to this week's recipe: Spicy Black Bean Soup. It's an old one, tried-and-true, as you saw with my friend's copy of the recipe.
Spicy Black Bean Soup: Healthy Comfort Food
This Spicy Black Bean Soup recipe is one of my most favorite recipes I've ever put out there.
Not because it's fancy, but because it's so intentionally not.
It's a comforting pantry meal you can put together as part of your weekend meal prep, or even on a busy weeknight.
Scatter some chopped onion and cilantro on top, and you'll be a happy camper.
Also: I highly recommend getting some Mama Lil's peppers to add to your toppings line-up. Pickled jalapeños would be delicious, too, but these days I think almost everything tastes better with Mama Lil's. These pickled peppers are made right here in Portland, OR, but you can also order them online.
Ready to check out this week's recipe for Spicy Black Bean Soup?
I've provided two sets of instructions: one for the Instant Pot, and one for the stovetop.
Just click here for the recipe.
Also, if you're on Instagram, you can check out the Reel I made for this recipe.
Join Me Live
Reminder: Tomorrow (Wednesday), I'll be going live on my Facebook page to talk about my quick picks for a healthier holidays gift guide. It's all happening at 1pm Pacific time, 4pm Eastern.
In the meantime, I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as my friend and I do!
Peace, love and broccoli,
