This cheap and hearty meal will warm your soul on a cold night.  It’s simple, yet tasty, and we’ll have enough leftover for soup the next day for lunch.

Black Bean Soup

19 oz. dried black beans $1.89

1 green pepper, chopped fine 59 cents (or free if you use garden veggies)

1 onion, chopped fine 20 cents (or free if you use garden veggies)

2 garlic cloves, pressed 5 cents

salt to taste

1/4 t pepper 4 cents

1/2 t. chili powder 9 cents

1/2 t cumin 12 cents

Prepare beans as directed by soaking first and then cooking per package directions.  About midway through cooking process, add green pepper, onion and spices.  Continue cooking until beans are soft buy not mushy, adding water as needed for an ample soup consistency.

Total cost to feed our family of 6: $2.98

**Want to spice it up?  Serve it with tortilla chips or with a dollop of sour cream on top of your soup.  Or add some shredded chicken for some extra protein.