Black Bean Soup With Lime

From Gourmet, January 1995.

• Ready In: 2 hrs 55 mins
• Serves: 8

Ingredients

• 1  large ham hock (about 3/4 pound)
• 3  quarts water
• 1  cup water
• 1  lb dried black beans, picked over
• 1  red onion, chopped (about 2 cups)
• 1  bay leaf
• 28 -32  ounces whole canned tomatoes, with juice, chopped
• 3⁄4 teaspoon salt (to taste)
• 1 -2  tablespoon fresh lime juice

• Garnish

•  lime slice

Directions

1. In a 5-quart kettle simmer ham hock in 3 quarts water, covered, 1 hour. Add beans, onion, and bay leaf and simmer, uncovered, 1 hour, or until beans are just tender. Stir in tomatoes with juice, salt, and remaining cup water and simmer soup 45 minutes, or until beans are tender. Soup may be made 1 day ahead, cooled completely, and chilled, covered.
2. Remove ham hock and reserve for another use. Discard bay leaf and stir in lime juice to taste. Divide soup among 8 bowls and garnish with lime slices.