Black Bean Soup

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2 cups dried black beans

6 cups cold water

3 tablespoons canola or other vegetable oil

4 ounces slab bacon, rind discarded, cut into 1/4-inch dice

1 medium onion, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch dice

1 large carrot, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch dice

3 large cloves garlic, minced

8 cups chicken stock, canned low-sodium broth, or water, or more as needed

4 bay leaves

Coarse (kosher) salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

1/2 teaspoon Tabasco sauce, or more to taste

1 tablespoon dry sherry or Madeira

1 teaspoon wine vinegar, preferably sherry vinegar but white wine or red wine vinegar will do

For garnish: sour cream, diced onion, chopped fresh cilantro leaves, chopped hard-cooked egg