Fazolová with Smoked Meat and Vegetables

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450g) smoked meat (ham hock or bacon) 1 lb (450g) smoked meat (ham hock or bacon)
• 1 large onion, finely chopped 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 2 carrots, diced 2 carrots, diced
• 2 potatoes, peeled and cubed 2 potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 2 cups (400g) dried white beans, soaked overnight 2 cups (400g) dried white beans, soaked overnight
• 4 cups (950ml) vegetable or chicken broth 4 cups (950ml) vegetable or chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 teaspoons sweet paprika 2 teaspoons sweet paprika
• 2 bay leaves 2 bay leaves
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• Chopped fresh parsley for garnish Chopped fresh parsley for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 10g, 3g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 45g, 6g
• Protein: 20g
• Fiber: 12g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large pot, cook the smoked meat over medium heat until browned and crispy. Remove the meat from the pot and set aside.
2. 2.
   In the same pot, add the chopped onion and carrots. Sauté until the vegetables are softened and lightly caramelized.
3. 3.
   Drain the soaked beans and add them to the pot along with the potatoes, tomato paste, sweet paprika, and bay leaves. Stir well to combine.
4. 4.
   Pour in the vegetable or chicken broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for about 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the beans are tender and the flavors have melded together.
5. 5.
   Remove the smoked meat from the bones and shred it into bite-sized pieces. Add the meat back to the pot and season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. 6.
   Simmer for an additional 10 minutes to allow the flavors to blend. Remove the bay leaves before serving.
7. 7.
   Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve hot.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Smoked meat — If you prefer a stronger smoky flavor, you can use smoked ham hock instead of bacon. Make sure to remove any excess fat before adding it to the stew.

Tips & Tricks

• For a thicker stew, mash some of the cooked beans against the side of the pot with a spoon before adding the shredded meat.
• If you prefer a spicier flavor, you can add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili flakes to the stew.
• Serve the Fazolová with a dollop of sour cream on top for added creaminess and tanginess.
• This stew tastes even better the next day, so consider making it in advance and reheating it for a quick and delicious meal.
• Feel free to customize the vegetables in the stew based on your preferences or seasonal availability.

Serving advice

Serve the Fazolová hot in bowls, garnished with chopped fresh parsley. Accompany it with crusty bread or Slovak dumplings for a complete and satisfying meal.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, you can drizzle a swirl of sour cream on top of the stew and sprinkle some additional paprika or parsley for a pop of color.