Memory Lane Black Bean Soup Recipe - Food.com (2024)

FAQs

Why is my black bean soup bitter? ›

Sometimes black beans can come out tasting bitter. To prevent this, be sure to use an appropriate amount of salt. This recipe calls for a tablespoon, but don't forget to taste for salt when your soup is finished and add more if desired; it will depend on how salty your bacon is, too.

In the course of his testing, Yonan found that soaking only cut down cooking time by 25 to 30%, and it also had real drawbacks. "You lose a lot of flavors when you soak them," Yonan says. "I've never had a pot of black beans as good soaking as when I don't soak them.

Beans are an excellent source of nutrients and offer numerous health benefits. They're a great of plant-based protein, fiber, iron and antioxidants. Eating beans on a regular basis can help in maintaining a healthy weight, reducing the risk of chronic diseases and supporting your gut health.

Simmer the beans until they're tender.

Bring the water to a boil, then reduce it to a very gentle simmer. Cook the beans uncovered until they're tender. Some foam might gather on top of the pot; skim it off with a spoon as necessary.

Squeeze in some vinegar or lemon juice.

Try squeezing some fresh Make-Lemon-Juice|lemon juice]] or adding a spoonful of vinegar to bitter dishes to neutralize the flavor a bit.

It may not seem intuitive but adding salt is usually a better way to reduce bitterness than adding sugar.

Canned beans are packed in a solution of water, salt, and starch. That solution can leave a glossy film on the beans, interfering with not only mouthfeel (slimy beans are a little off-putting), but also the ability of the beans to cling to other ingredients in the dish and absorb those flavors.

For soups, stews and anything else liquidy, feel free to use the whole can — just keep in mind that you'll be adding more liquid than if the recipe calls for drained and rinsed beans.

They shouldn't be falling apart. A great way to tell that beans are done or almost done is to blow on a spoonful of them. If the outer skins of the beans peel back (it's very noticeable), keep a very watchful eye on them--they're almost done if they aren't already done.

Research shows that consuming a cup of legumes every day is effective in reducing blood sugar levels (7). Helps fight cancer. Beans contain several phenolic compounds that have potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

What are the healthiest beans for soup? ›

At this point, I'd go ahead and salt them. Go easy as it takes awhile for the beans to absorb the salt. If you want to add tomatoes or acids like lime or vinegar, wait until the beans are cooked through. If the bean-cooking water starts to get low, always add hot water from a tea kettle.

But, according to a study from 1985, adding a little baking soda to the water while soaking dried beans decreases the amount of gas-causing oligosaccharides in cooked beans. (Yes, you can cook beans in the same water they were soaked in.

Dried beans tend to take a long time to cook, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't worry about overcooking them. Overcooked beans are perfectly safe to eat, but while they may be edible, they'll be less pleasant to consume. Signs that your beans are overcooked include them being very soft and mushy.

Unripe berries start out bitter and that lessens as they ripen on the vine. When picked fully ripe, blackberries taste very sweet with no trace of bitterness. What is this? Unripe blackberries often make their way into grocery stores because they ship better and store longer (two things grocery stores prioritize).

According to google “add a spoonful of sugar, cream or butter to tame that bitterness”. Probably sugar for black bean sauce.

Add Some Baking Soda

If your tomato sauce is too acidic and verging on bitter, turn to baking soda, not sugar. Yes, sugar might make the sauce taste better, but good old baking soda is an alkaline that will help balance the excess acid. A little pinch should do the trick.