Brazilian Black Bean Soup

Ingredients

• 2 cups dry black beans
• 2 tsp. salt

Group A

• 2 tbsp. oil
• 1 onion, chopped finely
• 3 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1 large carrot, chopped
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 1 tsp. ground coriander
• 1/2 tsp. ground cumin

Group B

• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1 tbsp. dry sherry
• 1/4 tsp. black pepper
• 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
• 1/2 tsp. lemon juice

Garnish

• orange slices
• sour cream or yogurt
• red pepper flakes

Procedure

1. Soak the beans well in advance; at least 8 hours or overnight.
2. Bring beans to a boil in 3 1/2 cups of water. Add salt.
3. Simmer at least 1 1/2 hours. Older beans may take a long time to soften.
4. Saute group A, adding the ingredients in the order listed.
5. Add the saute to the beans.
6. Add group B to the soup. Simmer for 10 minutes.
7. Adjust seasonings and serve.

Notes

This goes really well with pão de queijo, a Brazilian cheese bread. Warning: this combination is soporifically filling.