Black Bean Stoup

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, 2 turns of the pan
1 sprig fresh bay leaves or 1 large dried bay leaf
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped
4 cloves garlic, chopped
3 ribs celery with greens, chopped
1 large onion, chopped
1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
3 (15-ounce) cans black beans
2 tablespoons ground cumin
1 1/2 teaspoons coriander
Salt and pepper
2 to 3 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons hot sauce, divided
2 cups chicken or vegetable stock
1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes, diced tomatoes with peppers and onions or, stewed tomatoes

Directions:

Heat a medium soup pot over medium-high heat. Add EVOO to hot pot then bay leaves, jalapeno, garlic, celery and onions. Cook 3 to 4 minutes, then add red peppers and continue to cook. Drain 2 cans of beans and add them. With remaining can, pour the juice and half the beans into the pot. Use a fork to mash up the beans remaining in the can. Stir the mashed beans into the pot and season with cumin, coriander, salt and pepper and 2 to 3 tablespoons hot sauce. Add stock and tomatoes to the stoup and bring to a bubble. Reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes over low heat.

In a small bowl, mix together sour cream and scallions and reserve for topping the stoup. Ladle up black bean soup and top with sour cream mixture.