Black Bean Soup · Celebrate Jacques

Ingredients

• 1 pound dried black beans
• 8 cups water, plus more if needed
• 4 cups chicken stock, plus more if needed
• ½ cup rice
• 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
• ½ teaspoon ground cumin
• ½ teaspoon chili powder
• 1 bunch cilantro, stems removed and chopped, leaves reserved for garnish 2 cups salsa (mild to hot, depending on your taste)
• 1 cup coarsely chopped leek
• 2 cups coarsely chopped onion
• 5 or 6 garlic cloves, peeled
• Optional garnishes: sliced banana, cilantro leaves, diced sweet onion (rinsed under cold water), chopped hard-cooked egg, Tabasco sauce , red wine vinegar, extra virgin olive oil