Black Bean Soup

• 8 ounces sliced bacon, diced
• 1 large onion, minced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 6 carrots, peeled and minced
• 4 ribs celery, minced
• 3 jalapeno chiles, stemmed, seeded, and diced
• 1/4 cup ground cumin
• 1/4 cup dried oregano
• 1 pound black turtle beans, soaked overnight in water
• 3 1/2 to 4 quarts chicken broth, preferably homemade
• 1/2 cup fresh lime juice
• 1/2 cup cream sherry
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 1/2 cup minced cilantro (fresh coriander)
• Sour cream for garnish

1. Cook the bacon in a large stockpot over medium-high heat until it begins to crisp.
2. Remove it with a slotted spoon and set aside to drain on paper towels.
3. Add the onion, garlic, carrots, and celery to the bacon fat in the pot; saute, stirring occasionally, 10 minutes.
4. Stir in the jalapenos and cook 5 minutes more.
5. Stir in the cumin and oregano.
6. Rinse and drain the black beans and add to the stockpot.
7. Cover with 3 1/2 quarts chicken broth.
8. Simmer uncovered until the beans are very tender and beginning to fall apart, about 2 hours.
9. Thin with additional broth if the mixture seems to be getting too thick.
10. Stir in the lime juice, and sherry, and reserved bacon.
11. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
12. Just before serving, swirl in the cilantro.
13. Serve piping hot in bowls garnished with a dollop of sour cream.

bacon, onion, garlic, carrots, celery, jalapeno chiles, ground cumin, oregano, beans, chicken broth, lime juice, cream sherry, salt, cilantro, sour cream

Taken from www.cookstr.com/recipes/black-bean-soup-3 (may not work)