Black Bean Soup

Ingredients

 * 1/2 	cup unsalted butter
 * 1/2 	cup diced carrots
 * 1/2 	cup diced onions
 * 1/2 	cup diced celery
 * 1 	cup broccoli stems, peeled and diced
 * 2 	teaspoons dried thyme
 * 2 	teaspoons dried oregano
 * 1 	teaspoon dried sweet basil leaves
 * 1/4 	cup dry white wine
 * 4 	cups chicken stock, hot
 * 1 	tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
 * 1/2 	teaspoon Tabasco sauce (I like Cholula)
 * 1 	cup diced smoked chicken (recipe follows)
 * 1 	cup cooked black beans
 * 1 	cup broccoli florets
 * 2 	cups heavy cream
 * salt & fresh ground pepper, to taste
 * 2 	tablespoons cornstarch, mixed with a small amount of warm water (optional)

Directions

 * 1) In 1/4 cup butter, saute carrots, onion, celery and broccoli stems for 5 minutes.
 * 2) Add thyme, oregano and basil; saute 5 minutes more.
 * 3) Add wine and deglaze pan.
 * 4) Add hot chicken stock and reduce by one-third.
 * 5) Add Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco, smoked chicken, beans and broccoli florets; simmer 5 minutes.
 * 6) Add cream, simmer 5 minutes more and season to taste (thicken with cornstarch if desired).
 * 7) Drop in remaining butter, piece by piece, stirring until melted and serve immediately.
 * 8) Smoked Chicken: On a covered grill, slightly smoke boneless chicken, cooking to medium rare (about 30 minutes).
 * 9) Chef Meskan uses applewood chips and does not allow the grill to become too hot.