Jones' Cuban Ham and Bacon Black Bean Soup

Unbelievable recipe if you have left over ham after the holidays. Best to make a day ahead and let the flavors meld together. If not, go grab yourself an IPA, and let’s get it on!!

ingredients

BEANS
1 lb. dried black beans, rinsed & picked over
2 smoked ham hocks(about 1.5 lbs)
3 cups diced leftover ham
1 lg. green pepper seeded and diced
1 yellow onion diced
8 diced garlic cloves
2 bay leaves
1.5 tsp. salt
1 bottle of porter or stout beer
SOFRITO
2 tbls. olive oil
1 diced red onion
1 lg red red bell pepper seeded and diced
3/4 tsp. salt
8 minced garlic cloves
2 tsp. dried oregano
1.5 tbls. ground cumin
FINISHING THE SOUP
2 tbls. cornstarch
1 tbls. fresh squeezed lime juice
1/4 cup sour cream
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
1/2 cup chopped red onion
hot sauce of choice

directions

1
BEANS...Place beans, ham stock, green pepper, bottle of stout, and 12 cups of water in large stock pot or dutch oven. Bring to boil, reduce to low and skim off scum as it rises. Stir in onion, garlic, bay leaves, and salt. Bring back to simmer. Cook uncovered, until beans are tender, but not splitting, about 2 hours.
2
Remove ham stock and remove any meat you can. Chop and then add that ham plus 3 cups of additional chopped ham. Discard bone and skin from ham stocks.
3
FOR THE SOFRITO...Heat oil in large skillet over med. heat. Add onion, red bell pepper, salt and saute until veggies are tender (10 mins). Add garlic, oregano & cumin. Saute until fragrant (2 mins), set aside.
4
FINISHING THE SOUP...Scoop 2 cups beans and 2 cups liquid into sofrito pan, mash with fork until smooth. Simmer uncovered over medium heat until liquid is reduced and thickened, about 10 mins. Return sofrito mixture to bean pot. Simmer uncovered until flavors meld, 15 mins. Blend cornstarch and 2 tbls. of cold water to form smooth paste. Stir paste into soup and simmer until thickened, about 5 mins.
5
TO SERVE...Remove bay leaves, stir in lime juice and adjust salt/pepper. Ladle soup into bowls and top with fresh cilantro, red onion, and sour cream. Add hot sauce to taste.