Spicy Black Bean Soup

 This soup is the perfect warming dish for a cold day. It's vegan and gluten-free, so it works for almost everyone.

Ingredients:

- 1 tablespoon olive oil

- 1 small onion, chopped

- 3 cloves garlic, minced

- 1 can of black beans (15 ounces), rinsed and drained well    

- 2 cans of low sodium vegetable broth (14 ounces)   

- 2 cups water or vegetable broth for every can of beans you use (we used two cans)

- Additional salt to taste

- One lime or lemon is squeezed into the soup when it's finished cooking

Optional Toppings: Sour cream, cheese tortilla strips, chopped cilantro leaves.

Preparations:

- Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook for about 5 minutes, until the onion is soft.  - Make sure to stir often or it will burn. If you burn it, you'll need to start over because your soup will taste burnt!

- Stir in the beans, broth, and water. Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.  

- Once cooled add salt and seasonings according to taste (we added 1 teaspoon).

- Top with sour cream if desired.

Note: 

Adding lime or lemon adds extra flavor but doesn't change the taste of vegetarian or vegan broth if that's what you use