Ybor City Black Bean Soup

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== Description ==
For details, hints and serving suggestions, go to The Sneaky Kitchen
== Ingredients ==
* 8 cups water (or 7 if using 14 oz or 15 oz pkg of beans)
* 1 lb black beans, dried (about 2½ cups)
* 2 Ham hocks or 1 Ham end or Ham bone with some meat
* 2 whole bay leaves
* 2 med onions, coarsely chopped
* 2 med green bell peppers, washed and cubed
* 2 med carrots, scrubbed and scraped
* 4 garlic cloves, mashed or chopped
* 1 tsp dried oregano leaves
* 1½ tsp ground cumin
* 1½ tsp black pepper, or to taste
* 1 tbsp olive oil
* 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
* 1 tsp salt or to taste
== Directions ==
# Pick over and rinse the beans.
# Cover with half the water and set aside to soak.
# Place the ham hocks or ham bone in a pressure cooker or in a covered saucepan if you don't have a pressure cooker.
# Add the rest of the water and the bay leaf. Cook on high pressure for 20 minutes, or in a saucepan, bring to a boil and simmer until meat is nearly tender.
# Remove from heat. Take out the bay leaves. Skim off the fat, or run broth through a gravy separator.
# Return the broth to the pan.
# Add the beans with the water in which they were soaking.
# Add the onions, green pepper, oregano, cumin, garlic and black pepper.
# While it is coming to a boil, cut the carrots into 3" long pieces. Slit each one into quarters lengthwise to make skinny three-inch long strips.
# Add to beans.
# Cap and bring up to pressure. As soon as it is fully pressurized, turn very low and cook for 20 minutes. In a regular saucepan, bring to a boil. Cover, and simmer until beans are tender.
# Remove the ham to a plate.
# Ladle about a third of the beans into a blender or food processor (a hand held blender works well too) with as little liquid and vegetables as possible. Process until creamy.
# Scrape bean puree back into the pan.
# Cut the ham from the bones; cut into pieces, including the skin, removing all visible fat. Return the meat to the beans, discarding the bones.
# Add salt, vinegar and olive oil. Stir to mix. Check seasonings. You may add more salt, black pepper, or even hot pepper sauce if a spicier soup is desired.
Category:Black bean Recipes
Category:Carrot Recipes
Category:Green bell pepper Recipes
Category:Ham Recipes
Category:Healthy Soups
Category:Pressure cooker Recipes