Black-Eyed Pea Soup with Ham

Ingredients

• 4 bacon strips, diced
• 1 medium green pepper, chopped
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 cans (15-1/2 ounces each) black-eyed peas, undrained
• 2 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 cup water
• 1-1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 to 1-1/4 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 to 1-1/4 teaspoons ground mustard
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon curry powder
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon sugar, optional
• Shredded Colby-Monterey Jack cheese and minced fresh parsley