Yum-Yum! Black Bean Soup with Coca Cola

In my attempts to make the best ever black bean soup, I've tried numerous recipes with all kinds of extras and I've simplified it to the ingredients below (and it turned out GREAT so I am sticking with it). I would love some beta-testers though. If you love Black Bean Soup, I think you will love this recipe so PLEASE let me know if you try it and tell me what you think:

Ingredients:

3 cups (18 oz.) Dried Black Beans or 2 cans (29 oz.)

6 cups water

1 hardwood smoked pork butt (or one smoked ham hock)

1 onion coarsely chopped

4 cloves, garlic or 2 tsp. pre-chopped

1 cup cola soda

½ tsp. salt

Juice of 1/2 lime

1 tsp. cumin

1 tsp. coriander

Garnish: Sour Cream, Chopped Fresh Cilantro

1. For best results, soak dried beans in water over night and drain. (For a quick substitution, open two cans of black beans). Put in heavy pot with water, smoked pork butt (or smoked ham hock if you want the flavor but not all the ham), chopped onion, garlic and cola. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 1 ½ hours.
2. Remove pork butt and dice. Set aside.
3. Scoop ½ beans and liquid into a blender or food processor and puree. Pour back into pot with rest of ingredients. (Stick masher may be used instead of a blender or food processor.)  Add diced ham. (Note: My ham seemed super fatty so I only diced about 1/4th to put back in soup.) Cook for ½ hour.
4. Serve with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkling of fresh cilantro. Serve with lime wedges to squeeze into soup as guests enjoy each bite.

Optional additions to step 4: Add sweet corn, chopped cilantro, chili powder and much more to create your own version.