Join KindChef Denise to make a Mexican Pinto Bean Soup (based on this recipe from Ela Vegan.) After completing your soup, freeze and label it for donation, then drop off at one of our participating food assistance providers, with a person or family that is in your heart, or anyplace that you prefer, when convenient. Finally, report on where you shared your KindSoup and spread the word: Post a picture or two of you and your soups on social media with #DoKindWorks and tag us @DoKindWorks.
Mexican Pinto Bean Soup
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 medium onions diced
- 3 (14 oz) cans fire-roasted tomatoes (or can use fresh tomatoes (sliced and roasted – drizzled with olive oil – in the oven at 450 degrees for 30 minutes)
- 9 garlic cloves minced
- 6 small (450 g) carrots peeled and diced
- 3 medium (405 g) potatoes peeled and diced
- 1 tablespoon oregano dried
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- Red pepper flakes to taste
- 6 bay leaves (optional)
- 6 cups vegetable broth
- 6 (14 oz) cans pinto beans drained and rinsed
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large pot over medium/high heat. Add onions and sauté for about 4-5 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Stir in the roasted tomatoes, garlic, carrots, potatoes, and all spices. Cook for 1-2 minutes, until fragrant, then pour in the vegetable broth (I also added bay leaves for flavor).
- Bring the soup to a boil and let it simmer with a lid for about 10-15 minutes. Add in the pinto beans and cook for a further 10 minutes or until the veggies are softened, stirring from time to time. Then turn off the heat.
- You can add more vegetable broth or water if you notice that too much liquid evaporated.
- You can pour half of the soup into a different pot and use an immersion blender to blend it. You can also fill about half of the soup into a blender and blend it to the desired consistency.
- Then pour the blended soup back into the large pot and stir to combine. Taste it and add more salt/pepper/spices if needed. You can also add a little lime juice.
- Serve in bowls and garnish with fresh herbs. Enjoy!
Health and Safety Information
In order to protect the the quality of our KindSoup program, we ask that volunteers conscientiously observe the following guidelines:
- Start with clean hands and wash again frequently as needed throughout the cooking process.
- Start with clean kitchen surfaces and utensils (antibacterial wipes do a great job).
- Keep longer hair tied back.
- Follow other common sense procedures, such as never returning a tasting spoon to the pot!
Thank you for maintaining a high cleanliness standard for our KindSoup donations!
How to Donate Your KindSoup
Seal containers with a tight lid and freeze. Label each container with: date prepared, your first name and last initial, “Mexican Pinto Bean Soup” and any relevant food allergy info. When convenient, drop containers of frozen soup off at one of the following participating food assistance providers, with a person or family that is in your heart, or a place that you prefer.
- Here2Help @ Bethesda Presbyterian Church, 7611 Clarendon Road, Bethesda. (Go down driveway next to brick house just before the church on Clarendon and look for coolers labeled for soup donations). Drop off Sundays, 10 am-12 noon.
- Homes Not Borders 3610 East St., Landover. Drop off daily 10 am-2 pm. NOTE: Soups dropped here must be vegetarian or Halal only, as they will be shared with newly arriving refugee families in the area.
- Rainbow Community Development Center 12120 Tech Road, Silver Spring (this takes you to the rear parking lot and loading dock – there is usually a large RAINBOW truck parked here): Drop-off Monday-Friday 9am-2pm. NOTE: If you go during Rainbow’s food distributions on Tuesdays/Thursdays from 9am-noon, you may see a long line of cars – you can drive past the cars to drop off your KindSoup. If you go at other times and the garage or back door is not open, call or text Anna on her personal cell at 301-852-4184 (if she doesn’t answer, leave a message and she should get back within a few minutes, or try calling the Rainbow Pantry cellphone: 240-639-2293).
- Upcounty Consolidation Hub 12900 Middlebrook Rd., Germantown (supporting 1,000 families with food and other supports). Drop off Tuesdays, Thursdays, or Fridays 9-11 am.
- Embry Rucker Shelter 11975 Bowman Towne Drive, Reston, 703-437-1975. Leave donations on the table around the back. Drop off anytime!
- NYC Community Fridges located throughout New York City.
- Bread and Roses 58 Newbury St., Lawrence, Mass., 978-681-8768. Drop off Mondays-Thursdays, 10 am-4 pm.
- The Bristol Lodge 27 Lexington St., Waltham, Mass., 781-893-0108. Drop off Mondays-Fridays, 9am-6pm.
- Community Refrigerators located in Los Angeles
See you in the KindSoup kitchen!
Learn more about this KindWorks program
