Black Bean Pottage

Total Time: 3 hrs 30 mins Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 3 hrs

Ingredients

• Servings: 8
• 16 ounces dried black beans
• 8 cups water
• 2/3 cup olive oil
• 6 garlic cloves, peeled and finely chopped
• 2 onions, peeled and finely chopped
• 6 sweet peppers, seeded
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon whole dried oregano, crushed
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 bay leaves
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
• 2 tablespoons dry wine
• 1 1/2 tablespoons vinegar
• 1/2 cup onion, chopped (garnish)

Recipe

• 1 pick over beans, discarding any shriveled ones or foreign particles.
• 2 wash well and soak overnight in water, covering generously.
• 3 drain beans, rinse in fresh ater and drain again.
• 4 place in a large pot 8 cups water.
• 5 bring to a rapid boil, reduce heat to moderate, cover, and cook for 45 minutes.
• 6 in a skillet, heat 2/3 cup olive oil and saute garlic, 2 onions and chili peppers for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• 7 add to skillet 1 cup of the boiled beans and mash thoroughly to blend with rest or ingredients in the skillet.
• 8 add this mixture to the pot of beans.
• 9 add the salt, pepper, oregano, sugar, bay leaves and cumin.
• 10 cover and boil for 1 hour on moderate heat.
• 11 add wine and vinegar.
• 12 cover and cook over low heat for 1 hour.
• 13 uncover and cook until sauce thickens to taste.
• 14 serve in individual bowls, garnishing with 1/2 cup chopped onions.