THE 1ST RECIPE I MADE IN MY NEW ELECTRIC PRESSURE COOKER: CUBAN BLACK BEAN SOUP WITH VEGAN SAUSAGES

In this post about my new Cuisinart electric pressure cooker, I promised to post the very first recipe I tried in it, so I am doing so in today's post.  It's actually a vegan adaptation of a recipe that was in the instruction booklet that came with the pressure cooker.  I decided to try their recipe (more or less) so that I could learn the ins and outs of the cooker.  I didn't want to wing it with my own recipe until I knew what I was doing-- how much liquid you could use, etc., etc.

I chose the black bean soup because I love black beans, I had some in my pantry, and they are so good for you!  (See this info.)  It was a delicious whole-meal soup-- I will definitely make it again!  And it was finished in about an hour, with very little effort on my part, from UN-soaked dried beans!

Printable Recipe

BRYANNA’S VEGAN VERSION OF PRESSURE COOKER Cuban Black Bean Soup (with SPICY vegan sausage option)

(aDAPTED FROM A RECIPE IN THE iNSTRUCTION BOOKLET THAT CAME WITH THE cuisinart electric 6-Qt. PRESSURE COOKER)

Makes about 10 cups

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil or dark sesame oil (or a mixture)

1 1/2 cups chopped onions

1 1/4 cups chopped red bell pepper

3 garlic cloves, chopped

1 tablespoon dried oregano

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon ground coriander

6 cups vegan broth

1 lb. dry black beans, picked over, rinsed and drained

2 tablespoon soy bacon bits or chips, or 1/2 cup chopped vegan “ham”

1 teaspoon liquid smoke

1 bay leaf

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/3 cup dry to medium-dry sherry

1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

1 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
Optional:
10-12 ounces spicy vegan sausages cut  into 1/4-1/2” slices (such as Tofurkey Italian, or Field Roast Chipotle--my favorite!-- or Italian)

Garnishes: (Choose any)

Fresh chopped parsley; vegan “sour cream”; diced avocado,

chopped red bell pepper; chopped red onion; sweet corn kernels

(This soup can also be served with a scoop of steamed rice.)

Add oil to the pot and heat (select Sauté mode in the Cuisinart cooker).  Add the chopped onions, ¾ cup of the chopped red bell pepper, garlic, oregano, cumin and coriander.  Sir-cook until the onions are translucent and tender. Add the broth, black beans, soy bacon bits or “ham”, liquid smoke, and bay leaf.  Lock the lid in place, bring up to high pressure (15 lbs.) and, if using the Cuisinart Electric Pressure Cooker, set the timer to 30 minutes.  If using a stovetop pressure cooker, adjust your heat to keep the pressure steady and time it for 30 minutes.

After 30 minutes, the Cuisinart cooker will automatically start natural pressure release, which will take about 20 minutes.  If using a stovetop cooker, remove from the heat and let the pressure drop naturally.

When the float valve drops (in the Cuisinart cooker), or the pressure is released from a stovetop cooker, remove the lid carefully and remove the bay leaf.  Use a stick blender or a potato masher to smash the beans to the desired consistency.  (Unplug the Cuisinart cooker first, and be careful using the stick blender to avoid scratching the insert.)

If using, quickly brown the vegan sausage slices in a lightly-oiled nonstick skillet, then add them to the soup, along with the remaining ingredients (cayenne, sherry, red wine vinegar and salt.)  Simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, without pressure.  (In the Cuisinart cooker, there is a Simmer mode.)

Serve with the Garnishes.

Enjoy!