Bean Counter Chowder Recipes

BROWN BEAN CHOWDER

Steps:

• Place the beans and water in a large pot. Bring to a boil, and cook until the beans are almost tender, about 1 1/2 hours. Season with 1 1/2 teaspoons of chili powder, and 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt.
• While the beans are cooking, crumble the ground beef into a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic; cook and stir until onion is tender and meat is browned. Drain off excess grease, and stir in the tomato puree, 1 tablespoon chili powder, 1 tablespoon salt and bread crumbs. Stir into the pot with the beans, adding more water if needed to achieve your desired thickness. Taste and adjust seasonings if you like before serving.

SOUTHWESTERN BEAN CHOWDER

Steps:

• In a small bowl, mash 1 can beans with a fork; set aside., In a Dutch oven, saute the onion, celery and pepper in oil until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in the mashed beans, broth, corn, carrot, chiles, cumin, chili powder and remaining beans. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 20 minutes., Combine cornstarch and milk until smooth. Stir into bean mixture. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Stir in cheese until melted. Serve with cilantro and additional cheese if desired.

CORN AND BEAN CHOWDER

Steps:

• In a large pot heat the oil.
• Saute the onions and garlic.
• Add 3 cups of corn, the stock, and the nutmeg.
• Bring it to a boil and simmer until the corn is tender.
• Meanwhile puree the additional 1 cup of corn in a blender or food processor.
• When the corn and stock is tender add the pureed corn, the milk, the kidney beans, and the salt.
• Bring it almost to a boil.
• Lower the heat and let it simmer for about 5 minutes.

SAUSAGE BEAN CHOWDER

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven or soup kettle, brown sausage until no longer pink; drain. Add remaining ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 2 hours. Remove bay leaf.

WHITE BEAN CHOWDER

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large pan over medium heat and saute the onion and garlic until onion is softened.
• Add one can of beans and mash roughly.
• Stir in remaining can of beans, green chilies, corn, carrots, celery, and broth.
• Bring soup to a simmer and stir in the cumin, chili powder, and cayenne pepper.
• Combine milk and cornstarch, stirring well.
• Stir the milk mixture into the soup, bringing it gradually to a boil.
• Reduce heat and allow soup to simmer until veggies are tender, about 5 minutes. Stir frequently.
• Stir in 3/4 c of the cheese, reserving the remainder for use as garnish, and remove from heat.
• Serve garnished with cheese and cilantro.
• Note: I usually serve with some hot sauce on the table for those who like to add some heat.

HEARTY BEAN CHOWDER

Steps:

• In a large pot over medium high heat, saute the bacon until crisp. Remove the bacon and some of the fat; drain and set aside. Keep about 2 tablespoons of fat in the pot, add the flour and stir well to form a roux. Heat the roux until it is a dark brownish color, about 5 minutes.
• Add the onions, celery, sesame oil and carrots to the roux and saute for 2 minutes, stirring well. Add the garlic and heat for 2 more minutes. Add the water and stir well. Finally, add the white beans, black beans, cayenne pepper to taste and ground black pepper to taste.
• Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium low and simmer for 2 hours, or until the vegetables and beans are tender and the soup is the consistency you want. If the veggies aren't tender but its too thick, you can always add more water. Return the bacon to the soup and season with salt to taste.

SLOW COOKER NORTHERN WHITE BEAN BACON CHOWDER

Steps:

• Place beans in a large bowl with the water, cover, and soak overnight.
• In a large skillet over medium to medium high heat, fry the bacon until crispy. Drain the bacon fat and crumble the bacon; set aside.
• In a slow cooker, combine the carrot, celery, onion, potato, Italian- style seasoning, ground black pepper, reserved beans and crumbled bacon. Pour the broth over all.
• Cover and cook on low setting for 7 1/2 to 9 hours, or until beans are crisp to tender.
• Transfer 2 cups at a time to a blender or food processor and puree until smooth. Return all to slow cooker, add the milk, cover and heat on high for about 10 to 15 minutes, or until heated through.