Black Bean Soup
Soak one quart of black beans over night; put them in a kettle with a gallon of cold water and two bay leaves; boil slowly until well done, rub through a colander, and return to the kettle; season with salt, white pepper, and, if liked, a little thyme; blend one tablespoonful of butter with one tablespoonful of flour and dissolve in one half cupful of warm water; stir into the soup. Serve with croutons.