Hearty Ham And Bean Soup

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups of dried red kidney beans
• I 400 gram tin of red kidney beans drained and rinsed thoroughly.
• 350 grams of andouille sausage if you can get it. I can’t so I substitute with chorizo. Dice into large, even pieces.
• 1 tablespoon olive oil.
• 1 cup finely diced onion.
• 3/4 cup finely diced celery.
• 3/4 cup finely diced poblano peppers. I can’t get them so I substitute with a half cup of green capsicum and quarter cup of jalapenos.
• 4 large garlic cloves finely minced.
• 2 litres homemade chicken stock or low sodium store bought.
• 1 good sized smoked ham hock.
• 2 bay leaves.
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper.
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme.
• 1 tablespoon of white sugar.
• 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar.
• Cayenne pepper to taste.
• Hot sauce to taste.
• Cooking salt, otherwise known as kosher salt to taste.