Black bean soup

This is a very delicious bean soup and so easy to make. I had some Jasmine rice in the refrigerator from another meal and added 1/3 cup of rice into the soup. The rice is a nice compliment to the soup because it's a grain and its flavor is not too strong, so it blends perfectly with the beans.

By the way, I cook my own beans. Here's my method, it's so simple:
1. If preferred soak 1 cup of beans overnight and the next morning drain, discarding soaking water.
2. Add water to about an inch from top of beans and boil gently 1 to 1 1/2 hrs. or until tender.
Ingredients
1/2 cup chopped red onion
2 tsp olive oil
1 tsp minced garlic
3/4 tsp oregano
3/4 tsp cumin
15 oz black beans, rinsed and drained
2 cups chicken broth
1 tbsp Mexican sour cream

Directions
1.In a large saucepan, combine onion, oil, garlic, oregano, cumin, and salt to taste. Cook, stirring, over medium heat until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in beans and broth. Reduce heat to medium-low.
2.Cook, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes. Mash some beans against side of pan. Serve sprinkled with Mexican sour cream and cilantro (optional).

Shrimp in Garlic "Camarones al Ajillo"

Who doesn't love shrimp? I love seafood and all the ways shrimp can be cooked. Today I bring to you a recipe I used to eat in my home country, Guatemala. This recipe is so easy and quick to make. This can be an appetizer over Italian bread or it can be the main course with vegetables or wild rice on the side.
Ingredients
1 lb fresh shrimp, shelled
3 tb olive oil
3 large garlic cloves, peeled & sliced
1 tb chives, finely chopped
1/2 cup white wine
4 tb unsalted butter, melted
1 tb lemon juice
1 tb Italian parsley, finely chopped
1/4 tsp chili powder
Directions
Place the pan on medium flame. Add the olive oil. When hot add garlic and cook, flame sizzle until golden in color for about 2 minutes. Turn flame to high and cook the shrimp until pink in color in both sides, approximately 2 minutes. Add the chives, white wine, butter and lemon juice. Bring to a boil until reduced in half, for about 2 minutes. Add chopped parsley and chili powder. Add a pinch of salt.