Comfort Food

It seemed only fitting that I make my Sister's Black Bean and Sausage soup as the comfort food I craved and needed after she left. They have only been gone a day, but we miss them terribly. J & J2 just did not want to understand why the rest of the cousins weren't joining us today. It will surely take some time to get things back to normal around here. Until then, a little comfort food. A lot of chocolate. And many trips to Starbucks will possibly keep us going.

Black Bean and Sausage Soup
Serves 4 to 6

1 tbsp vegetable oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 large carrot, peeled or scrubbed and chopped
1 stalk of celery, sliced
2 large cloves of garlic, minced
1/2 tsp of dried oregano
1 medium potato, peeled, diced
2 cups beef or chicken broth
1 28oz tin diced tomatoes, with juice
4 to 6 oz of kielbasa, cubed
1 19oz tin black beans, or your favorite canned beans

1. Heat oil in large dutch oven (in other words large heavy pot). Add onion, carrot and celery; cook and stir over medium heat until vegetables begin to soften.

2. Stir in garlic, oregano, potato, broth and tomoatoes; heat to boiling. Stir in keilbasa. Cover and simmer gently for at least 1/2 to blend flavours.

3. Drain and rinse beans. Add to soup. Heat until hot. Add salt and pepper to tast. Serve with crusty bread.

Enjoy!
It's even better the next day!