Delicious Black Bean Soup Recipe

You'll love this delicious black bean soup recipe. It's easy to make and creates a hearty, satisfying meal.

Serve with a tossed green salad and your favorite bread for a delightful meal full of flavor. This will serve 6 people.

Wine Pairing:I'd recommend a Watcher Shiraz from Fetish Wines. This Australian wine will be able to stand up to the bold flavors of the beans. The fruitiness this wine adds to the meal should pair well with the soup.

Ingredients:
2 cups dried black beans
6 cups water
3 tablespoons canola oil
4 ounces booked bacon, diced
1 medium onion, diced
1 large carrot, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 red pepper, diced
8 cups low sodium chicken broth
4 bay leaves
salt and pepper, to taste
1/2 teaspoon Tabasco sauce
1 Tablespoon dry sherry
1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
small amounts of diced green onions, diced red onions, and feta cheese for garnish

Instructions:
1. The evening before cooking you will need to look through the beans and discard any stones or debris. Rinse well and drain. Place beans in a large bowl. Cover them with water and soak overnight in the refrigerator.

2. Brown bacon in a large cooking pot. Add onion, carrot, garlic, and red pepper. Saute vegetables for 10 minutes.

3. Drain the beans. Pour beans and chicken broth into pot withthe vegetables. Bring ingredients to a boil. Add the bay leaves and then reduce the heat to medium low. Simmer until the beans are tender; approximately 60 to 90 minutes.

4. Remove pot from the heat. Stir in the salt, pepper, Tabasco, dry sherry, and red wine vinegar. Discard bay leaves.

5. Ladle soup into individual bowls. Top with garnishes and serve.