Black Bean and Mushroom and Rice Lime soup

I love black beans.  I love love love mushrooms.  I love Rice.  Limes smell good...so why not make a soup out of all three!    It is easily adapted to personal taste...think of this recipe as a guide, not an absolute.  Its very healthy and very tasty!

1 1/2 cups black beans that have soaked over night.  Add enough water to cover them + about 1 inch of water.  Bring to a boil and then simmer until soft...which will take about 2 hours.  DO NOT DRAIN THE WATER.

 An hour or so into your beans cooking, prepare the brown rice by putting 1 1/2 cups water and 1 cup brown rice into a small pot, adding 1 beef boullion cube and bring to a boil.  Stir, cover and reduce to a simmer for about 40 min.

While the rice is cooking, you'll prepare the rest of your soup items.

Slice up 2 to 3 cups of mushroom, one medium onion and 2 cloves garlic.  Place in pan and add a little water or olive oil and reduce them down.  Should be nice and soft with a nice caramel color.  Add beans, including the water they cooked in. Add salt, pepper and my favorite ingrediant, chopped cilantro...I put in a good 1/2 cup.  Stir and take off the burner and set aside.

Fill a large pot with 8 cups of water.  Add 8 beef boullion cubes, or skip the water and add 8 cups broth or even beef paste, whichever you prefer.  Add your vegetable and bean mixuture to the pot on medium heat.  Add 2-3 TBS of lime juice, one TBS at a time...basically add enough so you like it.  After soup has simmered for about 10 min, add the rice, heat through and serve.  Very yummy!  I think I say that about all my soups. :-)

Black Bean Soup

1 1/2 cups black beans
2 cups brown rice
3 cups raw mushrooms
1 medium onion
1/2 cup cilantro
8 cups beef broth
2-3 TBS lime juice
salt/pepper to taste.