Jókai Bean Soup, or Jókai bableves, is one of Hungary’s most beloved hearty soups. Made with creamy beans, smoked pork, vegetables, paprika, and tender homemade csipetke dumplings, this rich soup is deeply comforting and full of traditional Hungarian flavor.
The soup is named after the Hungarian writer Mór Jókai, who was known to enjoy a version of this rustic bean soup. Today, Jókai bableves remains a popular dish in Hungarian homes and restaurants.
Ingredients
For the Soup
300 g (10½ oz) dried pinto or cranberry beans
500 g (1.1 lb) smoked pork hock or smoked pork shoulder
150 g (5 oz) smoked sausage, sliced
1 large onion, finely chopped
2 carrots, sliced
1–2 parsnips, sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon sweet Hungarian paprika
1 teaspoon hot paprika, optional
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
½ teaspoon black pepper
8 cups (2 L) water or broth
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
For the Paprika Thickener
2 tablespoons lard or vegetable oil
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon sweet Hungarian paprika
For the Csipetke Dumplings
1 egg
½ cup (65 g) all-purpose flour
Pinch of salt
To Finish
½ cup (120 g) sour cream
1 tablespoon flour, optional, for thickening the sour cream
