Sopas de Habichuelas negra - Black bean soup

Description
This is a hardy dish that can be enjoyed as a meal alone. It can be accompanied with rice or toasted French or Italian bread with garlic and olive oil and a nice salad.

Ingredients

 * 1 lb. of dried black beans
 * 1/2 lb. of cooking Ham ( Ham Steak) sliced into cubes
 * 2 - bay leaf
 * 1 - Tablespoon of oregano
 * 6 - Tablespoons of sofrito ( check the foundation page for this recipe)
 * 2 - Quarts of cold water
 * 4 - Table spoons of olive oil
 * salt and pepper to taste

Directions

 * 1) Place Beans in a 6 to 8 quart soup pot check an remove any that damaged or broken, remove any stones. Rinse under cold running water and drain.
 * 2) If you plan to make the soup on the next day let them soak over night in water just enough to cover them. On the next day drain water and add 2 quarts of fresh cold water and bring to a boil. Then lower heat and let simmer.
 * 3) If you plan to have them the same day put enough cold water to cover the Beans place on the range with high heat and bring to a boil. Turn off burner and let stand for 1 hour.
 * 4) In a hot frying pan pour in 4 Tablespoons of olive oil and 6- Tablespoons of sofrito, cook slowly over medium heat for about 2 to 3 minutes and then add the cubes of Ham. Continue sautéing until the flavors have combined and the sofrito has reached a light brown in color. Remove contents of pan and pour in bean pot. return pan to the stove and de glaze pan with 1 cup of broth from the soup pot.
 * 5) Make sure to scrape the bottom of the pan and reduce the liquid by half. Pour remaining liquid into the soup pot. #Add remaining ingredients and let simmer slowly stirring occasionally Allow to cook covered for 1 hour then remove cover and let broth thicken to a not to thick consistency. This soup is delicious with Teaspoon or two of chopped raw Onion sprinkled on top.
 * 6) Note: You can use this recipe for a black bean dish by using less liquid.