A Simple Soup

D already posted the photo, so I'll tell you about the recipe. Basically, we weren't doing anything with these beans, even though they had a wonderful aroma and flavor. So one night, I bit the bullet and resolved to cook something with them. As usual I turned to soup. As usual I had kale in the refrigerator. I also found the core of a head of celery. I combined these in a light vegetable broth, topped with olive oil and parmesan. It was filling, tasty, and healthy - the trifecta!

Santa Clara del Cobre

Sopa Tarasca - soup of the Tarasca people - is a specialty of Michoacan, but we had no idea it was made with a special bean. I had Sopa Tarasca once, and I remember it well.

One day, we were visiting the smaller village of Santa Clara del Cobre, famous for its tradition of copper-working.

As we've mentioned, Michoacan is cool. Downright chilly, in fact. Santa Clara del Cobre was even colder than that. At 7,200 feet, the altitude put a true nip in the air - even at midday. It was beautiful though, and after a morning wandering through shops and museums, E had fallen asleep on my back and we were looking for lunch.

We chose a place right on the square, but it was your typical Mexican hole-in-the-wall. Not many tourists to the town, it seemed. Ordering a soup with a sleeping child in your lap isn't maybe the best idea, but she managed to eat it one-handed. The thick, warm liquid hit the spot, driving away some of the bone-chill. The fried chiles sprinkled on top helped with that too. The beans were satisfying, tasting almost nutty, and the fried tortillas gave it heft. All in all, a really satisfying meal.

Making a Plan

After we'd selected a bean, we had to choose a way to prepare it. As I considered this project, I was torn. Is the best way to experience a new, heirloom bean at its simplest - some garlic, onions, and maybe an herb to flavor the bean liquor? Or should we prepare elaborate dishes that create special occasions?

Then we thought maybe these two options didn't have to be in opposition - we could cook the beans simply, try some of them that way, then cook the rest in a fabulous recipe. So we had a plan!

As we read the description of Bayo Chocolate, a food memory arose: Sopa Tarasca ... mmmmmm.