best (pretty healthy) black bean soup ..

Cooking Instructions

Cook beans ham bay leaf water & baking soda in large pot with tight-fitting lid. Bring to boil and skim scum as it rises to surface. Stir in salt reduce heat to low cover and simmer until beans are tender about 90 minutes. Discard bay and remove ham to add later. Beans are done!

To make the soup start by harnessing you inner french by mirepoix-ing the carrot onion and celery. Add that to an enamled dutch oven that has been heated with the olive oil over medium-high heat. Cook till browned about 15 minutes. Kick down the heat to a simmer and press the garlic directly into the pot grind your cumin and dump that in then sprinkle the red pepper. Briskly stir to bloom the spices until fragrant (about 3-4 minutes) then pour the beans(with their cooking water) into the pot adding the chicken broth as well. Bring to boil then reduce and simmer uncovered for around 30 minutes (less if yer really hungry). And you are done!