Black bean soup

Ingredients:

1 lb. black beans
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 lb. bacon
1/4 lb. diced ham
4 onions, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
3 stalks celery including leaves, chopped
1-1/2 cup uncooked brown rice
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 teaspoon ground cumin
3 qts. chicken broth
1/4 cup dry white wine
1/2 cup sherry

Preparation:

Wash black beans, cover with water and allow to soak overnight. Rinse. Drain. Set aside.
Pour oil into large soup pot. Add bacon, ham, onion, garlic and celery.
Cook at high simmer until vegetables are soft, about 30 minutes.
Add beans, rice, seasonings and broth to soup pot.
Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer 2-1/2 to 3 hours.
Let soup cool. Put through the blender a little at a time, until smooth.
Return to soup pot. Reheat on low about 45 minutes, adding wine and sherry.
Serve hot.