Black Bean Soup - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 (16 oz.) pkg. dry black beans
2 small smoked ham hocks
2 large celery stalks, diced
1 large onion, diced
1 large carrot, diced
1 garlic clove, diced
1 bay leaf
4 chicken flavored bouillon cubes
2 tsp. dry mustard
1 1/4 tsp. dried thyme leaves
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/3 c. dry red wine or sherry
sour cream (for garnish, optional)
avocado

Preparation

Prepare Beans:
Rinse beans in cold water in 5-quart Dutch oven over high heat.
Heat beans and 8 cups water to boiling; cook 3 minutes.
Remove from heat; cover and let stand 1 hour.
Drain and rinse beans and return to
Dutch oven.
Add 8 cups water, ham hocks and next 9 ingredients; over high heat, heat to boiling. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 3 hours or until beans are tender, stirring occasionally.