Caribbean-Style Black Bean Soup

==Description==
This is from the "Fix-It and Forget-It Cookbook" for slow-cookers. I love this, and do my husband and son. Make sure to add the vinegar at the end, it makes a big, delicious difference! We like ours with fresh Cornbread. 
===Ingredients===
* 1 lb dried black beans, washed and stones removed 
* 3 onions, chopped 
* 1 green pepper, chopped 
* 4 cloves garlic, minced (powdered works fine, too) 
* 1 Ham hock or 3/4 cup cubed Ham 
* 1 tablespoon oil 
* 1 tablespoon ground cumin 
* 2 teaspoons dried oregano 
* 1 teaspoon dried thyme 
* 1 tablespoon salt 
* 1/2 teaspoon pepper 
* 3 cups water 
* 2 tablespoons vinegar 
===Directions===
* Soak Beans overnight in 4 quarts water. 
* Drain Combine Beans, onions, green pepper, garlic, Ham, oil, cumin, oregano, thyme, salt, pepper, and 3 cups fresh water. 
* Stir well. 
* Cover. 
* Cook on Low 8-10 hours, or High 4-5 hours. 
* For a thick soup, remove half of cooked bean mixture and puree until smooth in a blender or mash with Potato masher. 
* Return to cooker. 
* If you like a soup-ier soup, leave as is. 
* Add vinegar and stir well. 
* Debone Ham, cut into bite-sized pieces and return to soup. 
* Serve in soup bowls. 
* Can be topped with sour cream and fresh cilantro. 
===Other Links===
==See also==
Category: Recipes
Category: Soups
Category: Caribbean Soups 
Category:Cilantro Recipes
Category:oregano Recipes
Category:thyme Recipes
category:Black cumin Recipes
category:garlic Recipes
category:green pepper Recipes
category:black bean Recipes
category:sour cream Recipes
category:Cornbread Recipes
category:vinegar Recipes
category:pepper Recipes
category:garlic Recipes
category:Potato Recipes
category:Onion Recipes
category:water Recipes
category:cumin Recipes
category:Fresh Beans Recipes
category:salt Recipes
category:oil Recipes
category:Ham Recipes