Recipe Of The Month: Gluten-Free Black Bean Soup

Gluten-Free Black Bean Soup Ingredients 1 pound dry black beans 1 1/2 quarts filtered water 1 organic carrot, chopped 1 stalk organic celery, chopped 1 large organic red onion, chopped 6 cloves garlic, crushed 2 green bell peppers, chopped 2 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced (optional) 1/4 cup dry lentils 4 fresh tomatoes 2 tablespoons chili powder 2 teaspoons ground cumin 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper 1 tablespoon sea salt 1/2 cup uncooked brown rice  Instructions In a large pot over medium-high heat, place the beans in three times their volume of water. Bring to a boil, and let boil 10 minutes. Cover, remove from heat and let stand 1 hour. Drain, and rinse.  In a slow cooker, combine soaked beans and 1 1/2 quarts fresh water. Cover, and cook for 3 hours on High. Stir in carrot, celery, onion, garlic, bell peppers, jalapeno pepper, lentils, and tomatoes. Season with chili powder, cumin, oregano, black pepper, red wine vinegar, and salt. Cook on Low for 2 to 3 hours. Stir the rice into the slow cooker in the last 20 minutes of cooking. Carefully puree about half of the soup with a blender or food processor, then pour back into the pot before serving.