Bob Chorba - Bulgarian Bean Soup

Ingredients

• 2 cups (400g) dried white beans 2 cups (400g) dried white beans
• 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 carrots, diced 2 carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced 2 celery stalks, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 bay leaf 1 bay leaf
• 4 cups (950ml) vegetable broth 4 cups (950ml) vegetable broth
• Salt and pepper, to taste Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley, for garnish Fresh parsley, for garnish
• Greek yogurt, for serving Greek yogurt, for serving

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 7g, 1g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 54g, 7g
• Protein: 15g
• Fiber: 14g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Rinse the dried white beans and soak them in water overnight. Drain and set aside.
2. 2.
   In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, diced carrots, and diced celery. Sauté until the vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes.
3. 3.
   Add the minced garlic, tomato paste, paprika, and bay leaf to the pot. Stir well to combine and cook for another 2 minutes.
4. 4.
   Add the soaked white beans and vegetable broth to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 1 hour, or until the beans are tender.
5. 5.
   Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove the bay leaf.
6. 6.
   Serve the Bob Chorba hot, garnished with fresh parsley and a dollop of Greek yogurt.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• White beans — Make sure to soak the dried white beans overnight to ensure they cook evenly and become tender.

Tips & Tricks

• For a smokier flavor, you can add a pinch of smoked paprika to the soup.
• If you prefer a thicker consistency, you can mash some of the cooked beans with a fork or blend a portion of the soup with an immersion blender.
• Serve the Bob Chorba with crusty bread for a complete meal.

Serving advice

Bob Chorba is best served hot, allowing the flavors to fully develop. Serve it as a main course with a side of crusty bread or a fresh salad.

Presentation advice

Garnish the Bob Chorba with a sprinkle of fresh parsley on top. Serve it in individual bowls, with a dollop of Greek yogurt on each serving for added creaminess.