Hi Christine:

This is my favorite Black Bean Soup....Cuban Style:

CUBAN BLACK BEAN SOUP

1 lb. dried black beans
1 C onion, chopped
1 Tb. margarine
4 C water
1 beef bouillon cube
12 oz. cooked lean ham
2 bay leaves
1/2 tsp thyme, dried
1/2 tsp. oregano
1/2 tsp salt
1 dried whole red pepper
1 C chopped green bell pepper
1/3 C rum (optional)
1 C sour cream (optional)
1/3 C tarragon vinegar (optional)

Sort and soak beans overnight; drain and discard soak water. In a 4 qt pot, saute onion in butter or margarine until tender but not browned. Add soaked beans, 4 C water, bouillon cube, ham (cut into cubes) bay leaves, thyme, oregano, salt and red pepper. Bring to a boil; reduce heat. Cover and simmer until beans are tender, 1 - 1 1/2 hours. Remove 1 C beans from stew, mash in bowl with potato masher or fork. Add mashed beans to stew, stir to thicken. Remove ham and dice. Remove bay leaves and red pepper, and discard. Add diced meat, green pepper and options, if desired to beans. Cover and simmer 15 minutes. Serve beans with rice and garnish with sour cream.