Creamy Bean Soup with Smoked Ham Hock

 Ingredients: Quantities for 12 servings: 1 smoked ham hock, 500 g white beans, 1 white onion, 1 head of garlic, 2 carrots, 1 parsnip, 1/2 root celery, 2 bell peppers. Salt, pepper, paprika, tarragon, vinegar.

To prepare a delicious bean soup with smoked ham hock, start by soaking the beans the night before. It is essential for the beans to absorb enough water to soften well during cooking. The next day, drain the beans, rinse them well, and bring them to a boil in warm water. It is recommended to change the water three times, as this helps to remove substances that can cause digestive discomfort.

After completing this step, take a pressure cooker and place the smoked ham hock in it, which will add an intense flavor and deep taste to your soup. Add the beans along with the fourth water, a whole onion, 5-6 cloves of garlic, peeled and chopped carrots, parsnip, celery, and bell peppers, all cut into large pieces. All these ingredients combine perfectly and provide a rich taste to bean soups.

Boil the mixture for about 30 minutes, then check if all the ingredients are cooked properly. When the ham hock is tender, carefully remove it from the pot and strain the liquid from the beans. Use a food processor to turn the cooked beans and vegetables into a smooth paste, which will form the base of your soup.

After obtaining the paste, sprinkle paprika, either hot or sweet, according to your preference. Bring the strained liquid to a boil, add the bean paste, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Boil the soup until the foam on the surface disappears, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking to the bottom of the pot.

When the soup is almost ready, turn off the heat and finely chop another 3-4 cloves of garlic, adding them to the pot along with fresh tarragon leaves, which will provide an extra freshness. Finally, sour the soup with a little wine vinegar, adjusting the acidity according to your preferences.

While the soup cools slightly, you can slice the smoked ham hock and prepare a red onion sliced thinly, sprinkling it with salt and drizzling a little red wine vinegar to enhance its aroma. Serve the soup hot, alongside the slices of ham and the spiced onion, and enjoy a comforting dish full of tradition and authentic taste. This is a recipe that will warm the soul on cold days, with an unmistakable aroma and flavor.

 Tags:  onion garlic carrots bean soup pepper gluten-free recipes lactose-free recipes