Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• 1/2 red bell pepper, chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 plum tomatoes, diced with juice
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 tablespoon Mexican oregano, crushed
• 2 teaspoons cumin, freshly ground
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon whole allspice
• 3 smoked pork shanks
• 2 quarts vegetable stock or 2 quarts chicken stock
• salt
• fresh ground black pepper
• 1 lb black beans, sorted, washed, soaked overnight with
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• hard-boiled egg, grated
• crumbled bacon
• chopped cilantro
• 2 onions, chopped
• 1/2 green bell pepper, chopped
• sour cream