Ingredients:

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
  1              pound  dry black bean...don't use canned
                        they get to mushy
  2        small whole  onions stuck with 2 whole cloves
  1             medium  onion chopped
  1                     bell pepper chopped
  1                     bay leaf
  1              sprig  fresh parsley...cilantro can be used but
                        minced good
  1           teaspoon  oregano
  1           teaspoon  sugar
  1           teaspoon  vinegar
  2             cloves  garlic...minced good
     1/4           cup  olive oil
  1                can  tomato sauce    (8 oz.)
     1/4           cup  dry sherry

Preparation:

Rinse beans and soak overnight in water to cover...I usually add a little more myself. The next day, saute onion...the chopped one...garlic, bell pepper till soft. Add to beans with the remaining ingredients, except sherry. Cook until thickened...usually 1 and a half hour. Remove the clove studded onions and the bay leaf. Pour in sherry and stir; if a smoother soup is desired, puree all or 1/2.

Nutritional Information:

568 Calories (kcal); 54g Total Fat; (94% calories from fat); trace Protein; 6g Carbohydrate; 0mg Cholesterol; 6mg Sodium