Vegetarian Black Bean Soup

So here is the next recipe from "Cooking with Mickey and the Disney Chefs" that I want to share with you. It was a tasty and filling vegetarian meal. It wasn't spectacular, but it really did the trick on a cold winter night (and days to follow.) Here is what you need:*1/3 cup olive oil
*2 cups diced yellow onion
*1 cup diced green pepper
*1 cup diced carrot
*1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon minced fresh garlic
*1 cup diced celery
*1 tablespoon cumin powder
*dash of dried oregano
*2 teaspoons paprika
*3 dashes hot sauce
*1 bay leaf
*2 sprigs chopped cilantro
*1 tablespoon coarse salt
*dash of freshly ground black pepper
*1/4 cup tomato paste
*2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
*2 cans (15 oz. each) black beans (including liquid)
*2 cups water

Directions:
Heat olive oil in a large saucepan. Add onion, peppers, carrots, garlic, and celery and saute until vegetables are soft.
Add cumin, oregano, paprika, hot sauce, bay leaf, cilantro, salt and pepper.
Add tomato paste, vinegar, black beans, and water. Bring to a boil, lower heat and simmer 20 minutes.
**Yields 6-8 servings or 2 quarts**

Of course you must have corn bread with this, and a "dollop of sour cream, a squeeze of fresh lime and fresh cilantro." Yum!