This German New Year's soup contains pork and sauerkraut for good luck in the new year. It's wonderful with fresh warm bread. This recipe has been a family tradition for forty years
INGREDIENTS (for 8 servings):
- 2 smoked ham hocks
- 2 yellow onions, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- 3 quarts water
- 1 pound sauerkraut, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15 ounce) can pinto beans, drained
- 1/2 pound bacon, chopped
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
PREPARATION:
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sautee onion and garlic until tender; set aside. Put ham hocks, onion, garlic and water into a stockpot, season with pepper to taste, cover and bring to a simmer for 1 1/2 hours.
Stir the sauerkraut and beans into the soup. Place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Remove bacon into the stockpot, reserving drippings. Stir flour into the bacon drippings to make a roux. Stir the roux into the soup. Continue to simmer the soup until thick. Remove from the heat and stir in the sour cream. Serve.