Hearty Bean Soup

== Description ==
Makes 8 servings
== Ingredients ==
* 2 cups dry pinto beans or black beans
* 1½ quarts chicken broth or ham broth
* 1 quart water
* 1½ pounds smoked ham hocks or leftover ham bone with bits of meat
* 1 cup chopped onion
* 2 cups sliced carrots
* 4 cloves garlic, crushed
* hot peppers to taste (optional)
* salt to taste (optional)
* ¼ cup dry sherry
* 4 cups hot cooked rice
== Directions ==
# Wash beans; drain.
# Place in large saucepan and add cold water to cover; let soak overnight.
# Or bring to boil, boil for 1 minute, remove from heat, and let stand 1 hour.
# Drain.
# Add broth, water, ham hocks, onion, carrots, garlic, hot peppers and salt.
# Heat to boiling, reduce heat, cover, and simmer about 3 hours, or until beans are very tender.
# Stir occasionally while cooking; adjust seasonings, if necessary.
# If more liquid is needed, add boiling broth or water.
# When beans are tender, remove ham hocks.
# Place about half of soup in blender and puree; return to saucepan.
# Stir in sherry.
# Ladle soup into bowls and top with mounds of rice.
Category:American Soups
Category:Black bean Recipes
Category:Carrot Recipes
Category:Chicken stock and broth Recipes
Category:Chile pepper Recipes
Category:Garlic Recipes
Category:Ham Recipes
Category:Ham hock Recipes
Category:Onion Recipes