Ingredients

  • 1 clove garlic, chopped
  • 2 lb. smoked, skinless ham hocks
  • 1 (4-inch) onion, chopped fine and browned
  • 2/3 c. chopped celery
  • 2/3 c. carrot slices (1/4-inch thick)
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2 1/2 qt. water
  • 1/2 qt. tomato juice
  • 1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/8 tsp. ground thyme
  • 1/8 tsp. coarsely ground black pepper
  • 48 oz. jar precooked Randall Great Northern beans
  • 1 tsp. beef bouillon granules
  • 1/2 c. quick barley
  • 1/2 c. sour cream
  • 2 to 3 Tbsp. flour

Method

  • In most of these soup recipes "stock or water" appears on the list of ingredients.
  • You can get delicious soups using plain water as the vehicle, but vegetable stock lends a fuller, more vegetable-y flavor.
  • Stock-making is an old-fashioned approach to soup; it enriches the atmosphere of our modern, expedient kitchens.
  • Further, it makes good use of vegetable scraps which would otherwise be thrown away.