Vegetarian Black Bean Soup

This is a recipe I picked up for a black bean soup that is similar to the one that Panera serves (which I adore). Enjoy :D

Black Bean Soup

1 onion, finely chopped

2 cloves garlic, finely minced

2 ribs celery, finely chopped

1/4 red bell pepper, finely chopped

1 14oz can vegetable stock

2 14oz cans black beans, undrained

1/2 tsp salt, to taste

1/2 tsp cumin powder

1/2 lemon, juice of

1 1/2 tbs cornstarch

Combine first five ingredients (onion through vegetable stock) in a pot and simmer for 10 minutes. Add 1/2 can of black beans, salt, and cumin, and cook for another 5 minutes. Puree soup either by pouring into a blender or with an immersion blender in the pot. Add remaining black beans and lemon juice. Mix cornstarch with a little water to make a slurry then add to soup. Cook until thickened.