Slow-Cooker Black Bean Soup

The Southwestern flavors are strong in this warm and comforting soup. Everyone’s favorite kitchen appliance, the slow cooker, does all the work; you don’t even need to soak the beans, just put them in dry. Instead of a creamy black bean soup, this one is more brothy, like a savory stew. Make this a vegetarian soup by using vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. For a softer bean texture, be sure and add the tomatoes during the last hour of cooking. Set up a toppings bar with different cheeses, tortilla chips, green onions, avocados, etc., and let your guests fix their bowl of soup to fit their style.