PATTY'S MOM'S BLACK BEAN SOUP

Patty's Mom's Black Bean Soup image

This is a simple recipe, yet it is the best black bean soup I've tried. I have been lucky to get home smoked ham, and used the bone from it. I've also made it with smoked ham hocks I've gotten from the butcher. Of course the home smoked ham makes the soup superlative, the butcher bone made it wonderful. Either way, I think you'll enjoy it. It can be made spicy if that's the way you prefer it. It can also be topped with sour cream.

Provided by Beverly

Categories Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes Soup Recipes Beans and Peas Black Bean Soup Recipes

Time 11h50m

Yield 5

Number Of Ingredients 11

Ingredients

2 cups dry black beans
8 cups water
1 tablespoon margarine
3 stalks celery, chopped
3 onions, chopped
2 bay leaves
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
½ teaspoon salt
⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
1 smoked ham bone (with some meat on it)
⅔ cup dry sherry

Steps:

Soak the beans overnight in a pan of water.
Drain off the soaking water. Simmer beans in 8 cups of water until soft.
While the beans are cooking, saute the chopped onion and celery in margarine until golden. Add the vegetables to the soup pot along with bay leaves, parsley, salt, pepper, and ham bone. Cook over medium heat for 3 hours, adding water if needed.
After the beans are cooked and soft, remove the ham. Set aside. Cool soup, and puree in batches. Return the soup to the pot, and add dry sherry.
Cut the meat off the bone, and add the meat to the soup. Cook over low heat until warmed through, and adjust seasonings.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 344.7 calories, Carbohydrate 60.4 g, Fat 3.3 g, Fiber 13.3 g, Protein 17.7 g, SaturatedFat 0.7 g, Sodium 474.9 mg, Sugar 5 g