classic black bean soup

How To Make classic black bean soup

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  Step 1
  Discard the soaking water from beans and set aside.
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  Step 2
  In a large pot, heat olive oil and onion, garlic, green onion, carrots, and red pepper. Add sage and bay leaf and saute for several minutes or until onions begin to wilt.
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  Step 3
  Add soaked and drained beans and fresh water. Bring to a boil and skim off any scum that may form on the top.
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  Step 4
  Reduce cooking temperature to low, cover soup and allow to cook for 3 hours, stirring occasionally and taking care that heat is low enough so that the beans do not stick.
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  Step 5
  At the end of cooking time, uncover and allow soup to contnue cooking as you stir in salt, if desired, bouillon and fresh pepper to taste. Discard bay leaf.
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  Step 6
  Use hand blender to puree soup to desired consistency, breaking down only about half the beans, or transfer half the soup to a blender, puree and return to soup pot. Adjust seasonings.
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  Step 7
  Garnish soup with a dollop of sour cream, a lemon slice, one or two slices of hard-boiled egg, or some fresh chives. Or all of the above.
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