The way I make black bean soup -
4 cans of Goya black beans (make sure they are GMO black beans, much better)
2 medium onion diced
chopped garlic, as much as you like (not organic garlic, please)
about 4 slices of bacon
a couple of bay leaves
some chicken broth
thyme
cumin and/or chili and/or cayenne pepper powder
1 fresh jalapeno pepper chopped (or jarred - doesn't matter) and/or chopped scallions
Cook the bacon. Remove it. Sautee the onion and garlic in the bacon grease a little. Chop up the bacon. Dump out most of the bacon grease, then dump in the beans (don't drain them), onions and garlic, bay leaf, chopped bacon, some chicken broth, salt, and a couple of dashes or so of the flavorings. (I hold the jalapeno in abeyance as not everybody likes it. Can be added as garnish when done)
I don't use cilantro because I hate it. Cilantro - some like it, some do not. It's genetic.
Simmer covered for an hour or so or toss it in a crock pot. Add more chicken broth it it's too thick. Then mash it in the pot with a potato masher. Some people just take half of it and run it thru the blender for a creamier result but I like to mash it. Scallions on top, +/- chopped jalapeno.
I like it with a big dollop of mashed taters in the middle of each person's bowl, but some people prefer sour cream and salsa on it. Whatever.
Salad on the side? If you are a rabbit, fine.
