Black Bean Soup

Ingredients

• 1 lb. black beans, rinsed and sorted
• 1 smoked ham hock
• 2 onions, coarsely chopped
• 1 carrot, coarsely chopped
• 1 celery stalk, coarsely chopped
• 3 qt. chicken stock (12 c. equals seven to eight 14 1/2 oz. cans)
• 1 (6 oz.) can tomato paste
• 1 1/2 Tbsp. ground cumin
• 1 Tbsp. Madras curry powder (any curry powder will do)
• 1 tsp. ground thyme
• 1/2 tsp. ground bay leaf (I crumble the bay leaf)
• 1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper
• 1/2 tsp. ground white pepper
• 1/2 c. brewed coffee
• 2 Tbsp. dark rum
• salt and freshly ground pepper
• cooked rice
• chopped onion
• sour cream
• shredded Cheddar cheese
• chopped red pepper (optional)