Soup Showdown Recipe: Don's Favorite Black Bean Soup

I really love it when the boys get in on the act... here's a great recipe adapted by another friend from back in the day! Love it! See Don's ** notes at the end with the adjustments he'd make next time. You might want to go ahead and try it that way. Make this one and let us know!! Thank you, Don! Hey, and A+ on the photo styling!

Don's Black Bean SoupDON’S FAVORITE BLACK BEAN SOUP

Ingredients
10 slices bacon, finely chopped
2 medium onions, chopped (about 2 1/2 cups)
6 garlic cloves, pressed
1 (14 1/2-ounce) can reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 1/2 cups canned chopped tomatoes
2 tablespoons ketchup
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon chili powder
4 (15 1/2-ounce) cans black beans, drained but not rinsed
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 bunch cilantro
juice of 1/2 lime
Thinly sliced scallions, for garnish
Sour cream, for garnish
Grated cheddar, for garnish

Directions
Put the bacon into a large heavy pot and place it over medium heat. Cook until it starts to give up its fat, about 4 minutes. Stir in the onions and cook, stirring, until they start to turn translucent, about 4 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook until you can smell it, about 1 minute. Add the broth, tomatoes, ketchup, Worcestershire, and chili powder. Stir in the beans, turn the heat to high and bring to a boil. Adjust the heat so the soup is bubbling gently and cook 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

Meanwhile, pick off all the thick stems from the cilantro. Wash it and shake dry. Chop the cilantro coarsely and stir it into the soup when it has been simmering 10 minutes. cook until the soup is thickened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the lime juice. Serve with the garnishes.

**If I make this again, I will substitute Smoked Kielbasa for the bacon, and cut back on the cilantro just a little. PS, I stole this from the food network (but since i am modifying it, i can now put a claim to it???