Black-Bean Soup

To prepare soup, sort and wash beans; place in a large Dutch oven. Cover with water to 2 inches above beans; bring to a boil, and cook 2 minutes. Remove from heat; cover and let stand 1 hour. Drain.

Cook the bacon in pan over medium heat until crisp. Remove the bacon from pan. Add chopped onion, thyme, garlic, and bay leaves to bacon drippings in pan; sauté for 4 minutes. Add beans, bacon, Chicken Stock, and 3 cups water to pan. Bring to a boil; reduce heat, and simmer 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally. Add salt, and simmer for 30 minutes or until beans are tender. Discard bay leaves. Place half of bean mixture in a blender or food processor, and process until smooth. Pour bean puree into a large bowl. Repeat procedure with remaining bean mixture. Add to bowl.

Preheat oven to 350°.

To prepare toppings, place the tortilla strips in a single layer on a jelly-roll pan. Bake at 350° for 12 minutes or until tortilla strips are toasted.

Ladle soup into each of 6 bowls, and top with tortilla strips, sour cream, and minced onion. Serve with lime wedges.