Ingredients

• 2 cups dry black beans
• 4 cups water
• 1 large green pepper, chopped
• 1 onion, minced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 T olive oil
• 1 bay leaf
• 3 oz chopped smoke turkey or ham
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 4 T cilantro, chopped

Steps

1. Wash beans thoroughly and let stand in the water overnight.
2. Simmer the beans in the same water for 1 hour over a low heat.
3. Add the onion and half of the garlic and green pepper.
4. Add the bay leaf and pepper. Simmer for 1 hour.
5. Saute the ham in the olive oil. Add the rest of the garlic and green pepper. Cook 2 minutes.
6. Add the ham mixture to the soup. Mix thoroughly.
7. Garnish with cilantro.