Smoked Paprika and Sun-Dried Tomato Potlikker

Potlikker (or “pot liquor”) is the brothy, nutrient-dense liquid gold traditionally left behind after boiling greens and beans. An ingredient whose use sheds light on the complex racialized history of Southern cooking, potlikker was once valued only by diligent enslaved Africans who saved the nourishing broth for their families after cooking greens. Chef Carla Hall, for whom potlikker was an essential element of her childhood, switches up the order, making potlikker from scratch to use as an ultra-concentrated broth—for Hall, that’s often the first step in imbuing a dish with layers of deep, powerful flavor.

For this untraditional plant-based potlikker, Hall turns to pantry staples like smoked paprika, red wine vinegar, and sun-dried tomato paste to bring umami. If you can’t find sun-dried tomato paste, whole sun-dried tomatoes will work just fine—simply drain (if needed) and finely chop before adding.

Use this potlikker as a base for Hall’sBraised Chicken Thighs With Olives and Herbs, herBrothy Pasta With Miso-Butter Turnips, or any dish that would benefit from a smoky tomato broth.