A paprika-laced roux of lard, flour, and sour cream transforms a simple bean and ham soup into something luxurious. This recipe first appeared in our October 2013 issue with the article Rhapsody in Red.
Ingredients
- 1⁄2 cup lard or canola oil
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium carrot, minced
- 1 medium yellow onion, minced
- 1 small parsnip, minced
- 1 stalk celery, minced
- 1 lb. dried pinto beans, soaked overnight and drained
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 large smoked ham hock
- 1⁄4 cup flour
- 1 1⁄2 tsp. Hungarian sweet paprika, plus more for garnish
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1⁄2 cup sour cream
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Instructions
Step 1
Melt half the lard or heat half the oil in a 6-qt. saucepan over medium-high heat. Add garlic, carrot, onion, parsnip, and celery; cook, stirring occasionally, until golden, 7–9 minutes. Add beans, bay leaves, ham hock, and 12 cups water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium; cook, partially covered, until beans are very tender, about 2 hours.
Step 2
Transfer ham hock to a cutting board and let cool, then discard skin and bone. Shred meat and stir into soup. Heat remaining lard or oil in a 2-qt. saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour until smooth; cook 2 minutes. Whisk in paprika, salt, and pepper; cook 1 minute. Whisk in sour cream. Stir mixture into soup and cook until slightly thickened, 4–6 minutes more. Ladle soup into serving bowls; garnish with more paprika, if you like.
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