BRAZILIAN BLACK BEANS

Steps:

• Pick over and rinse:
• 2 cups black beans
• Drain the beans and transfer to a soup pot.
• Add:
• 4 cups water
• Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer, partially covered, stirring occasionally, for 1 1/2 hours. Meanwhile, bring a medium saucepan of water to a boil. Pierce in several places with a fork:
• 8 ounces hot Italian sausage (optional)
• Add to the pot and boil until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center of a sausage registers 160°F, about 45 minutes. Drain, rinse with cold water, and slice into 1/4-inch thick rounds. Set aside. Heat in a medium skillet over medium-low heat:
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• Add:
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• Cook until the vegetables are tender but not brown, 7 to 10 minutes.
• Add:
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 3/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 3/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
• Stir and cook for 1 minute, remove from the heat, and add to the beans after they have cooked for 1 1/2 hours. Cook until the beans are very tender, about 30 minutes more.
• Add:
• 3/4 cup orange juice
• 1/4 cup dry sherry
• 1 to 2 teaspoons salt, or to taste
• Cook for 15 minutes more, or longer if desired.
• Garnish with:
• Sour cream