Black Bean Soup

Ingredients

• 3 cups dried black beans, soaked overnight (see note below)
• ¼ cup olive oil
• 2 medium onions, finely chopped
• 6 - 12 cloves garlic, crushed or minced
• 1½ tsp oregano
• 1 Tblsp cumin
• 1½ tsp crushed red pepper
• 1½ qt chicken or vegetable stock (strain off fat)
• 1 bay leaf
• salt