Sopa de Frijoles Negros

Description
Black bean soup from Cuba.
 * Serves 4

Ingredients

 * 1 lb dried black beans (plus enough water to soak them)
 * 1 cup chopped onions
 * 1 tbsp butter or margarine
 * 4 cups water (in addition to the water for soaking)
 * 1 beef bouillon cube
 * 12 ounces cooked lean ham, cubed
 * 2 bay leaves
 * ½ teaspoon dried oregano
 * ½ teaspoon salt
 * 1 whole dried red chile
 * 1 cup chopped green bell pepper

Directions

 * 1) Pick thorough the dried beans and discard any stones or beans that are not in good shape.
 * 2) Soak the beans overnight, then drain.
 * 3) In a large pot, sauté the onion in butter or margarine until the onions are translucent.
 * 4) Add the beans, fresh water, the bouillon cube, ham cubes, and spices and bring to a boil, then reduce heat and cover.
 * 5) Simmer until the beans are tender (about 1 – 1½ hours).
 * 6) Remove about 1 cup of beans from soup and mash them, then return them to the soup.
 * 7) Keep stirring until the soup thickens.
 * 8) Remove bay leaves and chile pepper and discard.
 * 9) Add the green pepper.
 * 10) Cover and simmer for 15 minutes more.
 * 11) Serve over rice.