BRAZILIAN BLACK BEAN SOUP

Steps:

• Rinse the beans. Cover them with water, and let them soak several hours (at least 4) or overnight. Pour off excess water from beans. Place beans in saucepan with 3 1/2 cups water or stock and salt. Bring to a boil, cover, simmer 1 1/2 hours over very low heat. Saute onions and garlic in oil. Then add carrot, celery and green pepper. Add a little water to the vegetables to steam them along. Add the coriander and cumin. When everything seems just as it should be, add saute to the beans. Let the soup continue to simmer over lowest possible heat. Add oranges, orange juice, sherry, black pepper, red pepper and lemon juice to soup. Give it a stir, cover, and cook for 10 minutes. Taste for seasoning. If you wish to thin, add water; if you wish to thicken, puree some or all of the soup in a blender. Serve topped with sour cream or yogurt.