Lisa Cooks

Ingredients

• 1 pound (2 cups) dried black beans rinsed and inspected
• 8 ounces ham steak rind trimmed off
• 2 bay leaves
• 5 cups water
• 1/8 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon table salt *
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 medium onion , finely chopped
• 2 celery stalks finely chopped
• 2 carrots , finely chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon table salt *
• 5 cloves garlic , minced
• 1/4 teaspoon chipotle powder
• 1 tablespoon cumin
• 5 cups chicken broth
• 1 lime squeeze juice to taste
• sour cream to taste (optional)