Black bean soup with rum

4 servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
2cupsOnion, chopped
1cupCelery, chopper
6Parsley
2Fresh thyme
1Bay leaf
3tablespoonsUnsalted butter
1largeHam hock
2cupsDried black beans, picked ov r
6cupsBeef broth
cupDark rum
Lemon juice to taste
Garnishes:
Eggs, hard-cooked, chopped
Fresh parsley, chopped
Lemon slices

Directions

The night before, soak beans in cold water to cover by 2 inches.

Change water at least once. Drain and rinse. In a heavy kettle, cook onion, celery, parlsey, thyme, and bay leaf in the butter over mod-low heat, stirring, for 10 minutes. Add ham hock, beans, broth, 4 cups water, salt and pepper to taste. Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer, uncovered, adding more water if necessary to keep beans covered, for 3 hours. Discard ham hock and bay leaf. Put the mixture through a medium disk of a food mill into a large bowl and then return it to the kettle. Stir in rum, lemon juice, and salt and pepper to taste. Adjust the consistency with hot water and garnish for serving with the eggs, parsley, and lemon slices. Makes about 7 cups. a 1971 Gourmet Mag. favorite