Maryland black bean soup vote now Main DishVery Easy1 hour Send this recipe to a friend Print this page Ask a question to the author Post your photo of this recipe Ingredients 8 1 pound dried black beans (about 2 cups), rinsed, soaked in 4 quarts of water overnight or 6 hours, drained 1 libra smoked ham hock or shank 2 bay leaves 5 cups water 1/8 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 large yellow onion, chopped fine 1 medium sweet potato, chopped into 1/2-inch pieces (can substitute 2 large carrots) 1/2 carrot, chopped fine 1 celery rib, chopped fine 1/2 teaspoon salt 4 medium garlic cloves, minced 1 tablespoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon chile powder 2 cups chicken stock 1 tablespoons molasses 1 red bell pepper, roughly chopped 3 to 4 tablespons lime juice (can substitute lemon juice) Salt Chopped fresh cilantro Sour cream Avocado, peeled and chopped View the directions