When shopping, I bought a couple of sweet potatoes anticipating to use them along with black beans. But what?! Google search I found a recipe for black bean sweet potato soup - http://www.kalynskitchen.com/2010/12/recipe-for-vegetarian-black-bean-and.html - which linked back to the original recipe at http://www.finecooking.com/recipes/black-bean-soup-sweet-potatoes.aspx. I adapted the recipe by using dried beans - about 2 cups soaked overnight, homemade vegetable stock - about a quart, for obvious reasons - no milk sugar! - I omitted the yoghurt. My broth was already very well seasoned, so I did not add any additional pepper. It turned delicious! The rest of the family added a dollop of Tofutti Sour Cream while I added some cayenne pepper.
I am glad to report that it was an overall dinner success in our little house in Portland :)