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Soups and Stews | |
| 1 pound navy beans, picked over, rinsed and drained 10 sprigs parsley 2 sprigs fresh thyme or rosemary 1 bay leaf 2 large smoked ham hocks, about 1 1/2 pounds 1 medium onion, coarsely chopped Optional cumin, sherry 1 clove garlic, coarsely chopped 8 cups of cold water 1 medium carrot, coarsely chopped Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper Butter for garnish | |
| Place the beans in a large saucepan and cover with cold water by about 2 inches. Bring to a boil and lower the heat to a simmer. Cook for 5 minutes; remove from the heat, cover, and let sit for one hour. Drain and reserve. Tie the parsley, thyme, and bay leaf together with kitchen twine. In a large soup pot or Dutch oven combine the beans, herb bundle, hocks, onions, and garlic with the water. Bring to a boil, cover, and adjust the heat so the soup cooks at a gentle simmer. Cook until the beans and hock are completely tender, about 1-1/2 hours. Turn off the heat and remove the hocks. Cool slightly. Remove the meat from the hocks, discarding the bones, fat, and skin. Cut the meat into small cubes. Remove the herb bundle and discard. Puree about 3 cups of the beans with a some of the liquid in a blender. (For a smoother soup puree all the beans.) Stir the puree and diced meat into the soup. Heat the soup and adjust the seasoning as needed with salt and pepper. Add cumin to taste and splash or two of sherry if using. Pour into heated bowls, place a small pat of butter on top of each soup, and serve. | |
Excellent | |
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