Mi Smokey Black Bean Soup

2 - 16 oz packages dry beans.

Soaking Method: In a very large stock pot add dry beans and cover with water,let stand overnight. Drain and rinse beans. Helpful Hint: Beans are harvested in their natural state. Even with the most careful attention and best processing equipment available, look over the contents to pick out any foreign substances such as small stones, soil particles, etc. As a helpful hint, rinse the beans with drinkable water to provide a wholesome dish.

Ingredients:

3-5 tablespoons olive oil

5 cloves minced garlic

1 1/2 cups chopped onions

4 stalks celery, chopped

6 smoked cooked turkey necks with some meat

3 bay leaves

1 red bell pepper, diced

1/2 of a 16 oz jar of jalapenos

2 tablespoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper

3 whole peppercorns to taste

1 tablespoon brown sugar

1 tablespoon lemon juice

6 pkgs of sodium free chicken bouillion

dry sherry 

1tblsp chopped fresh cilantro

Sour cream

In the large stock pot place beans, smoked turkey necks and bay leaves.

Bring to a boil then place on simmer.

In a large saute pan heat olive oil and saute your garlic,onion,celery and bell pepper until soft and glistening but not brown.

Stir your beans and neck bones periodically.

Let simmer 3-4 hours.

Cook down until water is below neck bones and beans.

Remove neckbones carefully and reserve.

Check your base (beans) for any neckbone pieces.

Pull your neck bones apart and set aside the meat. The meat will be shredded. Chop all meat into small pieces and place back into stock pot along with beans.

Add bouillion, garlic,onion,celery,red bell pepper,peppercorns,cumin,cayenne pepper,brown sugar,lemon juice, jalapeno peppers.

Add water to desired consistency. I like mine thick like chili but you may want it very soupy. This is better done in small amounts. Start with a cup of water, if still too thick add another cup. For each cup add 1 more packet of sodium free bouillion.  

Simmer for 45 minutes to an hour. In the last 10 minutes toss in 1 tblsp fresh diced cilantro and give one last good stir.

Upon serving splash some sherry (1 tsp) per bowl and stir, drop 1 healthy tblsp of chilled sour cream on top and serve. Salt on the table to those who wish.