OLD-FASHIONED BLACK BEAN SOUP

Old-Fashioned Black Bean Soup image

Provided by Julieannie

Time 8h25m

Yield 7 cups, 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 lb dried black turtle bean, soaked overnight
1 ham bone or 1 ham hock
6 cups chicken broth or 6 cups water
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 medium yellow onions, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup chopped celery
1 teaspoon dried marjoram
1 bay leaf
salt
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
1/2 cup dry sherry (optional)

Steps:

Combine the drained beans, ham bone or hock, and broth in the slow cooker. Cover and cook on High until boiling, about 1 hour.
Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the onions, garlic, and celery and cook, stirring a few times, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add to the cooker along with the marjoram and bay leaf. Cover, turn the cooker to Low, and cook the soup for 7 to 8 hours.
Stir in the salt, pepper, and sherry, cover, and continue to cook on Low 15 minutes longer.
Discard the bay leaf and ham bone, returning any bits of meat left on the bone to the soup. Puree in batches in a food processor or in the cooker with a handheld immersion blender. Taste to adjust the seasonings. Add some boiling water to thin, if desired. Ladle into soup bowls and serve hot.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 365.6, Fat 7.9, SaturatedFat 4.2, Cholesterol 15.3, Sodium 785.6, Carbohydrate 53.4, Fiber 19.7, Sugar 4.3, Protein 21.5