Southwestern Pork and Bean Soup
Quick weeknight soup combining diced pork with pinto beans, Mexican-style tomatoes, and warm spices including cumin, chili powder, and a subtle note of culinary lavender. Ready in under 30 minutes, this one-pot meal serves as a satisfying lunch or dinner with optional cheese and cilantro garnish.
Ingredients
- 1 tsp oil
- ½ onion or fennel onion or fennel, chopped
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 2 oz boneless pork chops, diced
- 1 14.5 oz can unsalted beef or chicken broth
- 1 15 oz can Mexican-style chopped tomatoes
- 1 15 oz can no salt added pinto beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp oregano, crushed
- ½ tsp cumin
- ¼ tsp coriander
- ¼ tsp culinary lavender, crushed
- salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
- grated lowfat cheddar or Mexican-blend cheese or cheese alternative(optional)Monterey Jack1:1dairydairy-free
melts smoother
- chopped fresh cilantro(optional)
Instructions
- 1
Heat oil in a deep non-stick saucepan over medium heat.
- 2
Saute onion and garlic for 2 to 3 minutes until softened.
- 3
Add diced pork and brown, stirring occasionally.
- 4
Stir in broth, tomatoes, drained pinto beans, chili powder, oregano, cumin, coriander, and lavender.
- 5
Bring to a boil, then lower heat, cover, and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes.
- 6
Ladle into bowls and top with cheese and cilantro if desired.
Tips
The pork will continue to cook during simmering; brown it only partially if using thin chops to prevent drying.
For deeper flavor, toast the dried spices in the pan before adding liquid.
Culinary lavender is delicate; do not exceed the stated amount to avoid floral overpowering.
Good to Know
Refrigerate covered up to 3 days. Freeze up to 2 months; thaw overnight before reheating.
Prepare through simmering up to 1 day ahead; reheat gently before serving. Assemble toppings fresh.
Ladle into bowls and top with cheese and cilantro. Serve with warm tortillas or cornbread.
Common Mistakes
Do not skip browning the pork to avoid a pale, undercooked appearance.
Do not exceed culinary lavender quantity to avoid an overpowering floral taste.
Do not omit rinsing canned beans to avoid excess sodium.
Substitutions
Dairy-Free Swaps
General Alternatives
as noted in source
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