Instructions: Tried out the "White Trash Cookbook" last night and whipped up this black bean soup. In spite of the fact that I forgot to finish it with the browned flour and butter, it turned out pretty darn good, if a tad bland. (I did cheat and use real butter instead of oleo.)

Heres the recipe. Never having had black bean soup before, let alone making it, Im not sure what would be kosher to liven it up a bit.

Anyone have any tips? I served it with cornbread and a plate of sliced homegrown tomatoes. BTW, the recipe is transcribed exactly as it appears in the book to give a taste of Micklers writing style.

Pretty neat stuff, though Im not sure if Im ready for the cold collard sandwich yet...

Put your beans in a soup pot and cover with water. Boil, take off the fire and let sit til cool. Cook onions and bell peppers in 1/2 the oleo until limp. Add them and the ham hocks and orange to the cooled beans; cover charitably with water. Simmer until beans is soft (1 to 2 hours). Fish out the orange right now, before it gets tore up. With the rest of the oleo, brown the flour in a black frying pan, then stir it into the beans. Brenda says: "Make sure you got a soup, now. If you need to add some more water, do it."

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