When you’re sick, the last thing you want to do is whip up a huge meal. This soup is not only easy, but it is quite filling as well. And the best part is that you can easily get all of the ingredients at Trader Joe’s… aka mecca.
All of the ingredients in this soup are specifically geared towards strengthening your immune system.
Garlic detoxifies and is a powerful antioxidant. On top of that it fights respiratory diseases, strengthens the immune system and has recently been found to reduce the risk of certain cancers in several population studies. So eat as much garlic as you can handle, lezbehonest, you’re not kissing anyone with your sick mouth anyway.
Black beans have the highest amounts of antioxidants of any beans, just about as much as cranberries. They are also high in Folate (B6), molybdenum, fiber, and magnesium.
Spinach is jam packed with the Vitamin C, Vitamin E, beta-carotene, manganese, zinc and selenium. It also has 337% of daily allowance of Vitamin A which strengthens and protects mucus membranes, respiratory, and intestinal tracts and is a key component of lymphocytes which fights infection.
Red pepper flakes, or other varieties of spicy peppers, are also high in the antioxidant rich Vitamin A. They are also a good source of capsaicin which is a natural inflammation fighter. And it’s a great way to open up clogged sinuses and relieve congestion. So go hot, or go home.
Black Bean and Spinach Soup
Ingredients:
+ 2 cups spinach, frozen if you’re lazy
+ 1 can black beans (15 oz)
+ 3/4 cup TJ’s Black Bean soup
+ 1/2 cup water
+ 3 cloves garlic, sliced
+ salt, pepper, red chili flakes to taste
Seriously you guys, this is so simple. You’re welcome.
1. Microwave the spinach for about 4 minutes and drain excess water out.
2. Meanwhile combine black beans, black bean soup, water, and spices in a pot and put on high heat until it boils.
3. Once boiling, turn down to simmer until the beans are fully heated – around 15-20 minutes. Stir every now and then. If the soup is too thick for your liking, add more water.
4. About ten minutes before the soup is finished add the garlic and the spinach.
5. Pour into a bowl, enjoy, and feel your body start to heal!
Black bean soup is my number one weakness so I definitely need to make this ASAP. And it even has all my favorite things. #getoutofmyhead
This happened to me today.
Time to start cooking.
TOO LITTLE TOO LATE!! i was so sick yesterday and the day before T_T
Rotel in this soup would be a good addition. Rotel + black beans = heaven.
Thank you!
Soup is the BEST even in the middle of summer. Although Melbourne summer sucks right now.
By spinach I hope you mean kale…I mean we are still lesbians after all, right?
Aw shit, I am totally going to make this for the girl that I want to date who is sharing my cold right now. Thank you Sarah Croce.
Just made this for dinner (everyone in my house has allergies – damn Texas – and I figured same symptoms, so it’ll work!) and everyone loved it! However, it was a bit on the holyfucksospicey!! Side (my bean soup base was southwestern style) so I’ve been trying to figure out how to cool it down. Milk is actually a good addition in small quantities :)
Looks delicious…I’m currently sick and cooked up a big batch of my grandmother’s minestrone soup (as I can’t stand chicken noodle, and I love the feeling of cutting up all of those veggies and throwing them into a pot).
Also, does anyone know where a poor, little TJ-less Canadian like me could find a black bean soup equivalent? We have Whole Foods and a bunch of grocery stores carry organic products.