Black Bean Soup with Rice

Makes 6 servings.
==Ingredients==
* 1 pound dry black beans, sorted and rinsed
* 1 x 14½-ounce can whole tomatoes, undrained
* 1 cup sliced celery
* 1 cup chopped onion
* 1 cup chopped green pepper
* 1 smoked ham hock or ham bone
* 4 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 bay leaf
* ½ teaspoon ground red pepper
* ½ teaspoon thyme leaves
* 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
* 4 cups water
* salt and ground black pepper to taste
* 4 cups hot cooked rice
* ½ cup (2 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese
* ½ cup sour cream
* ½ cup picante sauce
==Directions==
# Cover beans with water; soak overnight.
# Drain beans and place in large saucepan or Dutch oven.
# Add tomatoes with juice, celery, onion, green pepper, ham hock, garlic, bay leaf, red pepper, thyme, chicken broth and water; bring to a boil.
# Reduce heat and simmer, partially covered, 4 to 5 hours or until beans are tender; stir occasionally.
# Add more water if necessary during simmering.
# Remove and discard bay leaf.
# Remove ham hock and cut meat off bone; return meat to beans.
# Puree half of soup in blender or food processor; return to pan.
# Season soup with salt and black pepper.
# Serve soup with rice, cheese, sour cream and picante sauce.
Category:Bean Soup Recipes
Category:Black bean Recipes
Category:Celery Recipes
Category:Cheddar Recipes
Category:Chicken stock and broth Recipes
Category:Garlic Recipes
Category:Green bell pepper Recipes
Category:Ham hock Recipes
Category:Onion Recipes
Category:Rice Recipes