German Sauerkraut Soup

Total Time: 1 hr 30 mins Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 1 hr

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 2 smoked ham hocks
• 2 yellow onions, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, chopped
• 3 quarts water
• 1 lb sauerkraut, drained and rinsed
• 1 (15 ounce) can pinto beans, drained (or substitute thick sliced or diced potatoes if you prefer)
• 1/2 lb bacon, chopped
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Recipe

• 1 heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. sauté onion and garlic until tender; set aside.
• 2 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.
• 3 stir the sauerkraut and beans or potatoes into the soup.
• 4 place bacon in a large, deep skillet. cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. remove bacon into the stockpot, reserving drippings.
• 5 stir flour into the bacon drippings to make a roux. stir the roux into the soup.
• 6 continue to simmer the soup until thick, and potatoes if you are using them are tender.
• 7 remove from the heat and stir in the sour cream. serve.