Black Bean Soup - cooking recipe

Ingredients

4 slices bacon
1 small onion, diced
1/2 bell pepper, diced
olive oil, if desired
2 (15 oz.) cans black beans, mashed
2 c. chicken broth
4 oz. ham, diced
salt to taste
seasoning to taste (chili powder, cumin, bay leaf, etc.)

Preparation

Saute bacon; remove to paper towel.
Saute onion and bell pepper in bacon drippings or olive oil, if preferred.
When nearly done, break up and add bacon.
Meanwhile, place other ingredients into a soup pot and bring to a boil.
Add the vegetable mixture and seasonings to taste.
Return to boil, lower heat and simmer for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.