Better Black Bean Soup

Ingredients

• Beans
• 1 lb dried back beans rinsed and picked over
• 4 oz ham steak (trimmed of rind)
• 2 dried bay leaves
• 1/8 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• Soup
• 3 tbsp olive oil (I use minimal)
• 2 large onions chopped fine (3 cups)
• 1 large carrot, chopped fine
• 3 medium celery ribs, chopped fine
• 1/2 tsp table salt
• 5-6 med garlic cloves, minced or pressed through a garlic press
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1.5 tablespoons ground cumin
• 6 cups low sodium chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons corn starch
• 2 tablespoons water
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (1-2 limes)
• Garnishes (optional)
• lime wedges
• minced fresh cilantro leaves
• finely diced red onions
• diced avocado
• sour cream