Black Bean Soup, Cuban Or Jamaican - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 lb. black beans
1 (1 lb.) ham hock, cracked
2 buds garlic, chopped
1/2 tsp. pepper (cayenne)
1/4 tsp. ground allspice
1 Tbsp. beef stock base or 3 beef bouillon cubes
1 lime or lemon, thinly sliced
1 pt. sour cream or plain yogurt
salt to taste
2 1/2 qt. water
2 ribs celery, chopped
2 large onions, chopped
1/2 c. sherry
1 can tomato sauce (8 oz.)

Preparation

Soak rinsed beans overnight in water.
Put beans and soaking water into 5-quart pot.
Add ham, celery, garlic, onions, pepper, allspice and beef stock base.
Cover and simmer 2 to 3 hours, or until beans are ready to smash.
Remove from heat and set aside.