Black Bean Soup - cooking recipe

Ingredients

4 to 6 strips bacon, diced
1 small onion, chopped fine
1 stalk celery, chopped fine
2 medium carrots, chopped fine
2 Tbsp. garlic, minced
4 cans black beans
3 cans chicken broth
1 c. water
2 Tbsp. ground cumin
salt and pepper to taste
cilantro leaves, chopped fine (optional)
sour cream
green onions
shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Preparation

In a large pot, cook bacon.
Add onion and saut until golden.
Add celery, carrots and garlic and cook over medium heat until soft, about 15 minutes.
Add beans, chicken broth, water, cumin and salt and pepper.
Simmer 20 to 30 minutes.
Stir frequently to keep beans from sticking.
Add more water if necessary.
Scoop out 1/2 the beans and mash to a paste.
Return to pot.
Add cilantro if desired.
Serve with sour cream, green onions and cheese.