Black Bean Soup

Ingredients

• 1lb. dried black beans
• 3 quarts water (2 cups to a pint, 2 pints to a quart)
• 2 bay leaves
• ½ – 1 cup of extra virgin olive oil
• 1-2 large red bell peppers seeded and chopped
• 2 shallots, chopped
• 1-2 onions, chopped
• 8 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 T ground cumin
• 2 T dried oregano
• 1 T sugar
• 2 T salt
• 1 red onion, diced, for garnish (optional)
• 8 oz. sour cream, for garnish (optional)