Instant Black Beans

I last made this in January of '05 and noted that it was outstanding. S does not like beans so I don't make them very often. My friend Sharon was asking for a black bean recipe and I accidently found this in the same book I was heralding: The Best American Recipes 2003-2004. This serves four and you can serve it over rice. ps if the chorizo is unpleasantly hard, grind it before adding it to the pan.

2 strips of bacon, chopped
6 ounces of garlicky sausage such as chorizo or kielbasa, diced
2 garlic cloves finely chopped
2 15 1/2 ounce cans Goya black bean soup
1 cup hot water
1/2 bay leaf, finely chopped

Fry the bacon until crisp in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the sausage and saute until browned about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and saute for 1 to 2 minutes more. Add the soup, water and bay leaf and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium low and simmer uncovered unti. the mixture has thickened, 15 to 20 minutes. Sear hot.