Black Bean Soup

Total Time: 2 hrs 45 mins Preparation Time: 45 mins Cook Time: 2 hrs

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 1 lb black beans
• 4 1/2 cups water
• 1/4 lb bacon
• 5 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 stalks celery, minced
• 1 large carrot, peeled and diced
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 2 teaspoons cumin
• 1/2-1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/2-3/4 teaspoon ground pepper
• 8 cups chicken broth or 8 cups beef broth
• salt

Recipe

• 1 soak beans overnight in the water or bring to boil then let stand for 1 hour; drain.
• 2 cook bacon in heavy, large pot over medium heat until golden brown and crisp, stirring frequently, about 5 minutes.
• 3 mix in garlic, celery, carrot, onion, jalapeño and bay leaf.
• 4 cook until vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes.
• 5 add chili powder, cumin, cayenne and pepper.
• 6 stir until aromatic, about 1 minute.
• 7 add beans and broth.
• 8 cook at a slow boil until beans are tender and most of the liquid is absorbed, stirring occasionally, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
• 9 i have used more broth to make it a soup.
• 10 season with salt.
• 11 mustard's serves these beans topped with chopped red onions, a dollop of sour cream and chopped chives.