Eva Brunner-Szabo, from southern Burgenland, sent me the following recipe for a simple bean soup, such as my grandmother and mother also used to make:

BEAN SOUP  (from Eva Brunner-Szabo)

Ingredients:
  • white or brown beans
  • 1/4 liter cream
  • 1-2 Tbsp. flour
  • 1 clove of garlic
  • ham extract
  • salt to taste

Preparation:

Soak brown or white beans in water, then boil so that they are soft. Keep the liquid. Mix 1/4 liter cream with 1-2 Tbsp flour, mix well so that no lumps remain. Mix with the liquid, add 1 piece of garlic (can be mashed), a bit of ham extract, trace of salt, and boil for some time on low flame.