Black Bean Soup With Sausage

• 1 (12 oz. or larger) bag black beans, soaked overnight
• 3 to 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tsp. ground cumin
• 1/4 tsp. hot pepper flakes or according to taste
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper
• 1/2 tsp. dried oregano
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 pkg. smoked beef/turkey sausage

1. In 5-quart pan, bring beans to boil in 7 to 8 cups water. While heating, finely chop and add all other ingredients.
2. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 1 1/2 to 2 hours or until beans are soft (add water if needed during cooking).
3. Stir, pressing spoon against side of pan to mash beans slightly.
4. Add garlic, cumin, oregano and hot pepper; cook another 20 minutes.
5. Cut sausage into 1/2-inch slices and add to beans; continue cooking just until sausage is heated through.
6. Salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with chopped onion, fresh chopped cilantro and/or sour cream.

black beans, garlic, ground cumin, hot pepper, onion, stalks celery, green bell pepper, oregano, salt, turkey sausage

Taken from www.cookbooks.com/Recipe-Details.aspx?id=1072055 (may not work)