| 1 | c | Hot water, for soaking |
| 1/4 | c | Dried tomatoes, (6 pieces) |
| 1 | tb | Extra light olive oil |
| 1 | lg | Sweet onion, slice into rings as thin as you can |
| 1 | pn | Salt |
| | Sugar substitute, equivalent to 1tsp |
| 2 | c | Cooked black beans, rinsed and drained |
| 1 | c | Canned tomatoes, chopped and peeled, drain and reserve the juice |
| 2 | c | Vegetable broth, see detail |
| 1 | sm | Garlic clove, pressed or smashed |
| 1 | ts | Cre-ole spice (pat), or less, see recipe |
| 1 | ts | Fresh lime juice, or malt vinegar |
| 1/2 | ts | Orange zest |
| | FOR BAKED TOPPING |
| 2/3 | c | Cornbread mix, Callender's? |
| 1/4 | c | Corn kernels |
| | Water |
| 2 | tb | Chopped fresh cilantro, (coriander) |
| 3 | tb | Shredded lowfat cheddar cheese or monterey jack cheese, optional |
