Black Bean Soup

Black Bean Soup

Ingredients:

3 Cups Dried Black Beans

1 Ham Bone Or Large Ham Hock

3 Quarts Water

2 Ounces Salt Pork, Diced Or 2 To 3 Slices Diced Bacon

1 Large Clove Garlic, Minced

1 Bay Leaf

1/8 Teaspoon Ground Thyme

2 Cups Chopped Onion

1 Medium Carrot, Diced

Salt And Pepper, To Taste

Sherry, To Taste

Lemon Slices

Hard Cooked Egg, Sliced

Preparation:

Soak Black Beans And Ham Bone In 3 Quarts Of Water Overnight In The Refrigerator. Transfer Beans And Liquid To Large Kettle Of Dutch Oven. Add Salt Pork Or Bacon, Garlic, Bay Leaf And Thyme. Bring Black Beans To A Boil, Reduce Heat, And Simmer For 2 Hours. Add Chopped Onions And Diced Carrot; Simmer 1 Hour Longer. Remove And Discard Bay Leaf And Ham Bone. In Small Batches, Process Or Blend Black Bean Soup Mixture Until Smooth. Return To Pot; Heat. Add Salt And Pepper And A Little Sherry To Black Bean Soup To Taste. Serve Black Bean Soup Garnished With Lemon And Egg Slices.Enjoy it:)