Bosnian Bean Soup

Ingredients

• 2 cups (400g) dried white beans 2 cups (400g) dried white beans
• 8 cups (1.9L) water 8 cups (1.9L) water
• 1 onion, chopped 1 onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, diced 2 carrots, diced
• 2 tomatoes, diced 2 tomatoes, diced
• 200g smoked meat (such as bacon or ham hock) 200g smoked meat (such as bacon or ham hock)
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 bay leaves 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon black pepper 1 teaspoon black pepper
• Salt to taste Salt to taste

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 10g, 3g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 45g, 5g
• Protein: 20g
• Fiber: 12g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Rinse the dried white beans and soak them in water overnight. Drain the beans before using.
2. 2.
   In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and diced carrots, and sauté until they begin to soften.
3. 3.
   Add the minced garlic and diced tomatoes to the pot, and cook for another 2 minutes.
4. 4.
   Add the smoked meat, soaked white beans, bay leaves, paprika, black pepper, and water to the pot. Bring to a boil.
5. 5.
   Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for about 2 hours or until the beans are tender.
6. 6.
   Season with salt to taste.
7. 7.
   Remove the bay leaves before serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Smoked meat — If you prefer a stronger smoky flavor, you can use smoked sausages or smoked turkey instead of bacon or ham hock.

Tips & Tricks

• For a thicker soup, you can mash some of the cooked beans with a fork or blend a portion of the soup using an immersion blender.
• Serve the soup with a dollop of sour cream or a sprinkle of fresh parsley for added flavor and presentation.
• Leftover soup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated when ready to serve.

Serving advice

Serve the Bosnian Bean Soup hot in individual bowls. Accompany it with a side of crusty bread for a complete and satisfying meal.

Presentation advice

Garnish the soup with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of paprika for an attractive presentation. Serve it in rustic bowls to enhance the traditional Bosnian feel.