BLACK BEAN SALSA SOUP

BLACK BEAN SALSA SOUP

2 Tbsp. butter
½ cup chopped carrots
½ cup chopped celery
½ cup chopped onion
1 (48-oz.) can chicken broth
1 (14-5-oz,) can diced tomatoes with green chile peppers
3 (15-oz.) cans black beans, drained and rinsed
¼ cup cooking sherry
1 tsp. minced garlic
1 tsp. ground cumin
½ tsp. ground cayenne pepper
salt to taste
½ cup chopped fresh cilantro

Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Stir in the carrots, celery, and onion, and cook 15 minutes. Pour in chicken broth. Mix in diced tomatoes with green chile peppers, black beans, sherry and garlic. Season with cumin, cayenne pepper, and salt. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer 20 minutes. Mix in cilantro during last few minutes of cook time.

Yield: 6 servings.