Sopa de Frijoles
Sopa de Frijoles (SOH-pah deh free-HOH-les)
Honduran Bean Soup
A hearty red bean soup with chunks of smoked beef ribs, green plantain, eggs, and fresh cheese, seasoned with cumin and cilantro.
Nutrition & Info
Allergen Warnings
Equipment Needed
Presentation Guide
Vessel: deep bowl
Garnishes: fresh cilantro, cubed queso fresco
Accompaniments: corn tortillas, hot sauce
Instructions
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1
Drain soaked beans and place in a large pot with smoked beef ribs and enough water to cover by three inches. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until beans are tender, about one hour.
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2
Saute onion and garlic in oil until fragrant. Add to the bean pot along with cumin, salt, and pepper.
-
3
Add sliced green plantain to the soup and cook until tender, about fifteen minutes.
-
4
Crack eggs directly into the simmering soup, spacing them apart. Cover and cook until eggs are set, about five minutes.
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5
Ladle soup into bowls, ensuring each serving gets a piece of plantain, an egg, and some meat. Top with cubed queso fresco and fresh cilantro.
Did You Know?
In Honduras, this soup is considered so nourishing that it is traditionally given to new mothers and anyone recovering from illness.
Chef's Notes
Equipment Tips
- large soup pot
- wooden spoon
- ladle
Garnishing
fresh cilantro, cubed queso fresco
Accompaniments
corn tortillas, hot sauce
The Story Behind Sopa de Frijoles
Sopa de frijoles is one of the most important soups in Honduran cuisine, combining the country's staple legume with protein and vegetables into a complete meal. Red beans have been cultivated in Honduras since pre-Columbian times and remain the primary source of protein for many families. The addition of smoked meat reflects colonial-era preservation techniques, while the custom of poaching eggs directly in the soup shows the resourceful approach to maximizing nutrition in a single pot.
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