Albanian White Bean Stew with Sausage

Ingredients

• 2 cups (400g) dried white beans 2 cups (400g) dried white beans
• 1 lb (450g) sausage, sliced 1 lb (450g) sausage, sliced
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon cumin 1 teaspoon cumin
• 2 bay leaves 2 bay leaves
• Salt and pepper, to taste Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley, for garnish Fresh parsley, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 450 kcal / 1884 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 25g, 8g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 35g, 4g
• Protein: 25g
• Fiber: 10g
• 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 sausage slices and cook until browned. Remove the sausage from the pot and set aside.
3. 3.
   In the same pot, add the chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté until the onion becomes translucent.
4. 4.
   Stir in the tomato paste, paprika, cumin, and bay leaves. Cook for a minute to release the flavors.
5. 5.
   Add the soaked white beans to the pot and pour enough water to cover the beans. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 1 hour or until the beans are tender.
6. 6.
   Return the cooked sausage to the pot and season with salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for an additional 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
7. 7.
   Remove the bay leaves and garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• White beans — Soaking the dried white beans overnight helps to reduce the cooking time and ensures they cook evenly. Make sure to drain and rinse the beans before using.
• Sausage — Choose a high-quality sausage with robust flavors to enhance the taste of the stew. You can opt for spicy or mild sausage, depending on your preference.

Tips & Tricks

• For a smoky flavor, you can add a small amount of smoked paprika to the stew.
• Serve the stew with crusty bread to soak up the delicious broth.
• If you prefer a thicker consistency, you can mash some of the cooked beans before adding the sausage back to the pot.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated and enjoyed the next day, as the flavors tend to deepen and develop further.

Serving advice

Serve the Albanian White Bean Stew with Sausage hot in bowls. Garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of color and freshness. Accompany it with a side of crusty bread for a complete and satisfying meal.

Presentation advice

When serving the stew, make sure to ladle it into bowls generously, showcasing the hearty beans and sausage. Sprinkle some fresh parsley on top for an appealing touch. Pair it with a rustic wooden spoon for a rustic presentation.