Enjoy these warm hearty soups, favorites at the Pritikin Longevity Center®. The Black Bean Soup, served at snack time every Tuesday afternoon, is so popular that guests make a beeline to the concierge desk for copies of the recipe. “It ranks with the best I’ve ever had,” says Charles Sigety, from Bucks County, Pennsylvania. “I asked for three bowls!”

The Wild Mushroom Soup is a show stopper, too – a great opening act for your holiday feasts.

BLACK BEAN SOUP

Serves 10

• 2 red onions, diced
• 1/2 cup garlic, chopped
• 1 tablespoon cumin, ground fresh
• 2 teaspoons coriander, ground fresh
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1 chipotle pepper, removed before serving
• 1 carrot, diced
• 1 pint dry black beans
• 1/2 teaspoon black peppercorns, ground
• 3 quarts water
• 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped

Directions:

Cook all ingredients in a large stockpot, except cilantro. When ready to serve, add cilantro.

Nutrition Information (per 8-ounce serving):

160 calories, 10g protein, 30g carbohydrates, negligible fat, 7g fiber, 126mg sodium.

Pritikin Exchanges: 1V, 1HP (High Protein)

WILD MUSHROOM SOUP

Serves 15

• 2 pounds domestic mushrooms
• 1 pound shittake mushrooms, de-stemmed
• 1.5 pounds portabella mushrooms, dirt taken off stem, but stem left on
• 1 cup brown basmati rice, uncooked
• 2 onions, chopped
• 1/2 cup garlic, chopped
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 1/2 bunch celery, chopped
• 1/4 head fennel, chopped
• 1/4 bunch thyme, picked and chopped
• 1/4 bunch rosemary, picked and chopped
• 1/4 bunch Italian parsley, picked and chopped
• 1/4 cup dry porcini mushrooms, ground
• 1/4 tablespoon peppercorns, ground
• 1/2 tablespoon coriander, ground
• 1/2 tablespoon dry oregano
• 1/2 tablespoon chili powder
• 2 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
• 1 gallon vegetable stock

Directions:

Clean all mushrooms and rough-chop all vegetables. In a large hot stockpot, sweat all vegetables, herbs, and rice. When vegetables are soft, add the rest of the ingredients. Bring to boil and reduce to simmer until rice is very soft, about 1 hour. Puree. If the soup covers the back of a spoon, it is thick enough. If not, reduce it more on stove over low temperature. Make sure the soup does not burn.

Nutrition Information (per 8-ounce serving):

84 calories, 4g protein, 16g carbohydrates, negligible fat, 4g fiber, 75mg sodium.

Pritikin Exchange: 1-1/2 V