Bean soup with smoked ham hock
Bean Soup with Smoked Ham Hock
If you are looking for a soup recipe that brings a touch of warmth and comfort on cold days, then bean soup with smoked ham hock is the perfect choice. This traditional dish is not only filling but also offers an explosion of flavors, making it an ideal choice for family meals. Additionally, it is a simple recipe that can quickly become your favorite!
Preparation Time
- Preparation time: 30 minutes
- Cooking time: 1 hour
- Total time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Servings: 6
Ingredients
- 300 g beans (preferably white or borș beans)
- 1 smoked ham hock (preferably boneless)
- 3 carrots
- 2 parsnips
- 1 small celery
- 1 red bell pepper
- 1 onion
- 100 ml tomato juice
- borș (optional, for souring)
- a bunch of fresh dill
- red onion (for serving)
- salt and pepper to taste
Brief History
Bean soup is a dish with deep roots in culinary tradition, symbolizing comfort and generosity. In many cultures, beans are appreciated not only for their taste but also for their remarkable nutritional properties. The smoked ham hock adds a distinctive note, transforming a simple recipe into a flavorful feast.
Cooking Techniques
1. Preparing the Beans: Start by soaking the beans overnight. This step is essential to reduce cooking time and improve the digestibility of the beans. If you forget to soak them, don’t worry! You can boil the beans for 2-3 hours, but this will require more attention.
2. Initial Boiling: The next day, drain the beans and rinse them under cold water. Place the beans in a large pot with fresh water and boil for 30 minutes. Discard the water to remove any substances that may cause digestive discomfort.
3. Adding the Vegetables: Add the whole onion, sliced carrots, diced celery, and parsnips to the pot. Let them boil together for about 20-30 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
4. The Smoked Ham Hock: Add the smoked ham hock to the pot and let it boil with the vegetables for 30-40 minutes. Once well cooked, remove the ham hock, cut it into small pieces, and put it back in the pot.
5. Mashing the Vegetables: Remove the onion, then mash the carrots, celery, and parsnip. This will give the soup a creamy texture. Add the vegetable puree to the pot along with the cut ham hock, diced bell pepper, and tomato juice.
6. Souring the Soup: If the soup seems too sweet, you can sour it with borș. This will add a note of freshness and balance the flavors. Let the soup simmer for another 20 minutes for the flavors to combine.
7. Finalizing: Finally, add a bunch of fresh dill or, if you don’t have any, you can use dried dill. Let it boil for just a few minutes to allow it to release its aroma.
8. Serving: Serve the soup hot, sprinkled with chopped dill and accompanied by slices of red onion. A slice of fresh bread is the perfect choice!
Practical Tips
- Types of Beans: You can use various types of beans, but white beans or borș beans yield the best results.
- Pieces of Ham Hock: If you prefer less fatty meat, you can use boneless ham hock or a piece of smoked meat from another cut.
- Veggie Version: For a vegetarian version, you can omit the ham hock and add vegetable smoked products or smoked spices to give a similar taste.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How long can I keep the soup? Bean soup keeps well in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. You can reheat it on low heat or in the microwave.
- Can I freeze the soup? Yes, bean soup can be frozen. Make sure to let it cool completely before placing it in airtight containers for freezing.
- Can I use canned beans? It is possible, but you will need to reduce the cooking time since canned beans are already cooked.
Calories and Nutritional Benefits
A serving of bean soup with smoked ham hock contains approximately 300-400 calories. It is rich in protein and fiber due to the beans, while the ham hock adds essential vitamins and minerals. Additionally, the vegetables provide antioxidants and beneficial nutrients, making this soup a healthy choice for your meals.
Delicious Pairings
This soup pairs wonderfully with a fresh green salad or garlic sauce. Additionally, a glass of red wine or craft beer can perfectly complement the meal.
In conclusion, bean soup with smoked ham hock is not just a recipe, but a cooking experience that brings family and friends together. I encourage you to try this recipe, personalize it to your taste, and enjoy every bite! Bon appétit!
We soak the beans overnight, boil them for half an hour, and throw away the water. We put them back to boil with onion, carrots, celery, and parsley root. We add the ham hock to boil and after half an hour to 40 minutes, we discard the water, take out the hock, and cut it into small pieces. After the vegetables and beans have boiled well (this depends on the type of beans you have), we remove the vegetables, discard the onion, and mash the rest. We add them back into the soup with the cut ham hock, diced bell pepper, and tomato juice. We let it simmer for another 20 minutes on low heat. I found the soup a bit sweet, so I soured it with borscht. At the end, I added a bunch of thyme and let it sit for just a few minutes to release its aroma. If you don't have fresh thyme, use ground thyme; it gives the soup a special flavor. We sprinkle chopped dill and serve with red onion. You will love it! I guarantee!
Ingredients: 300 g beans, one smoked ham hock (preferably boneless), 3 carrots, 2 parsnips, 1 small celery, 1 red bell pepper, 1 onion, 100 ml tomato juice, borscht (optional), dill and red onion for serving.
