Black Bean Soup

Soup is my jam in the winter.  I've been making a lot of it lately, I know.  But it's so nice to curl up on the couch at night in our PJs with a warm bowl of soup and binge watch something on Netflix.  Add a Christmas tree to that scenario, and I'm in heaven.  I can't wait to start decorating for Christmas!

INGREDIENTS

10 slices bacon, finely chopped
1 medium onion, chopped (about 2 1/2 cups)
6 garlic cloves, pressed
1 (14 1/2-ounce) can reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 1/2 cups canned chopped tomatoes
2 tablespoons ketchup
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon chili powder
4 (15 1/2-ounce) cans black beans, drained but not rinsed
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 bunch cilantro
juice of 1/2 lime
Thinly sliced scallions, for garnish
Sour cream, for garnish
Tortilla strips, for garnish

DIRECTIONS

• Put the bacon into a large heavy pot and place it over medium heat. Cook until it starts to give up its fat, about 4 minutes. Stir in the onions and cook, stirring, until they start to turn translucent, about 4 minutes.
• Stir in the garlic and cook until you can smell it, about 1 minute. Add the broth, tomatoes, ketchup, Worcestershire, and chili powder. Stir in the beans, turn the heat to high and bring to a boil. Adjust the heat so the soup is bubbling gently and cook 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
• Meanwhile, pick off all the thick stems from the cilantro. Wash it and shake dry. Chop the cilantro coarsely and stir it into the soup when it has been simmering 10 minutes. cook until the soup is thickened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the lime juice.
• In batches, add soup to blender and blend until smooth, then add back to the pot to stir on simmer for 5 minutes.
• Serve with the garnishes.