Croatian-style Bean Stew with Pickled Cabbage or Sauerkraut

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
• 1 bay leaf 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 4 cups (1 liter) vegetable broth 4 cups (1 liter) vegetable broth
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup (240ml) pickled cabbage or sauerkraut, drained and chopped 1 cup (240ml) pickled cabbage or sauerkraut, drained and chopped
• Fresh parsley, for garnish Fresh parsley, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat: 6g (Saturated Fat: 1g)
• Carbohydrates: 55g (Sugars: 6g)
• Protein: 15g
• Fiber: 12g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Soak the dried white beans in water overnight. Drain and rinse before using.
2. 2.
   In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, carrots, celery, and minced garlic. Sauté until the vegetables are softened.
3. 3.
   Add the soaked and drained white beans to the pot, along with the bay leaf, paprika, dried thyme, and vegetable broth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. 4.
   Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and simmer for about 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the beans are tender and creamy.
5. 5.
   Stir in the chopped pickled cabbage or sauerkraut and cook for an additional 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
6. 6.
   Remove the bay leaf and adjust the seasoning if needed.
7. 7.
   Serve the bean stew hot, garnished with fresh parsley. Enjoy with crusty bread.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Dried white beans — Make sure to soak the beans overnight to ensure they cook evenly and become tender. If you're short on time, you can also use canned white beans, but adjust the cooking time accordingly.

Tips & Tricks

• For a smoky flavor, you can add a small amount of smoked paprika to the stew.
• If you prefer a thicker stew, you can mash some of the cooked beans with a fork or blend a portion of the stew with an immersion blender.
• Serve the stew with a dollop of sour cream or yogurt for added creaminess.
• Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and taste even better the next day as the flavors continue to develop.
• Feel free to customize the stew by adding other vegetables such as bell peppers or potatoes.

Serving advice

Serve the Croatian-style bean stew in deep bowls, garnished with fresh parsley. Accompany it with a slice of crusty bread to soak up the flavorful broth.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, you can drizzle a swirl of olive oil on top of the stew and sprinkle some paprika or dried thyme for a pop of color.