Black Bean Soup

  •  2 onion, chopped
  •  2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 1 pound black beans, soaked overnight,drained
  • 1 ham bone, cracked
  • 1 stalk celery, chopped
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1/2 cup sherry, or dry white wine
  • 1 red pepper, chopped
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Sauté onions, red pepper,  onion and garlic in butter until transparent.

Add beans, ham bone, celery, bay leaf, and 2 quarts water to slow cooker. Cook on high, covered for 2 hours, then on low for 8 to 10 hours.

Remove ham bone and bay leaf.

Puree soup and return to pot. Add sherry, salt and pepper and heat through.

Serve in soup bowls garnished with chopped parsley.