Black Bean Soup {Hearty and Healthy}

Ingredients (23)

• 1 pound dried black beans (about 2 cups), rinsed, soaked in 4 quarts of water overnight or 6 hours, drained
• 1 pound smoked ham shank or hock
• 2 bay leaves
• 5 cups water
• 1/8 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 large yellow onion, chopped fine (2 cups)
• 1 medium sweet potato, chopped into 1/2-inch pieces (2 cups, chopped) (can substitute 2 large carrots)
• 1 carrot, chopped fine (1/2 cup)
• 1 celery rib, chopped fine (1/2 cup)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 4 medium garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 2 cups chicken stock (add 2 teaspoons of salt if using unsalted stock)
• 1 tablespoon molasses
• 1 red bell pepper, roughly chopped
• 3 to 4 tablespoons lime juice (can substitute lemon juice)
• Salt
• Chopped fresh cilantro
• Sour cream
• Avocado, peeled and chopped