Black Bean Soup With Rum

BLACK BEAN SOUP WITH RUM

4 Preparation Time :

Categories : Beans

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method -- -- --

2 c Onion, chopped

1 c Celery, chopper

6 Parsley

2 Fresh thyme

1 Bay leaf

3 tb Unsalted butter

1 lg Ham hock

2 c Dried black beans, picked ov

-er

6 c Beef broth

1/3 c Dark rum

Lemon juice to taste

Garnishes:

Eggs, hard-cooked, chopped

Fresh parsley, chopped

Lemon slices

The night before, soak beans in cold water to cover by 2 inches. Change

water at least once. Drain and rinse. In a heavy kettle, cook onion,

celery, parlsey, thyme, and bay leaf in the butter over mod-low heat,

10 minutes. Add ham hock, beans, broth,

4 cups water, salt

and pepper to taste. Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer,

uncovered, adding more water if necessary to keep beans covered, for 3

hours. Discard ham hock and bay leaf. Put the mixture through a medium

disk of a food mill into a large bowl and then return it to the kettle.

Stir in rum, lemon juice, and salt and pepper to taste. Adjust the

consistency with hot water and garnish for serving with the eggs, parsley,

and lemon slices. Makes about 7 cups. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -