I ususally make lentil soup but I didn't have enough lentils in the cupboard so I was forced to be creative. It's wonderful how perceived limitations can actually be blessings in disguise. They force us to look at things differently and change what we do and come up with new solutions.

This yummy soup is a perfect example. I'm pretty proud of it as I made up the whole thing without searching online for recipes or dipping into a cookbook. Yay me!

Black Bean Soup

olive oil

1 brown onion

2 garlic cloves

1 green capsicum

2-3 tbps of miso paste (to taste)

2 tins black beans (drained and rinsed)

1 cup dried mushrooms (porcini, shitake etc)

Fry the onion, garlic and green capsicum in a little olive oil.

While its cooking mix the miso in a jug with hot water until it dissolves.

When the onion mixture is cooked, add in the miso water and black beans.

Bring to the boil.

Add the mushrooms to a jug of boiling water and let sit for a few minutes.

Reduce the heat to a simmer and add the mushrooms and their water.

Cook until you get hungry and the soup is hot.

Devour!