Black Bean Soup

• 4 stalks celery chunks (cut into)
• 3 carrots
• 2 garlic (cloves minced)
• 2 onions coarsely (chopped)
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 green bell pepper (diced)
• 1 smoked ham hock
• 1,400 ml water
• 400 gr black beans picked over (dried)
• 120 ml dry sherry (optional)