Maneštra od bobići (Croatian Bean Stew)

Ingredients

• 2 cups (400g) dried beans, soaked overnight 2 cups (400g) dried beans, soaked overnight
• 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, diced 1 onion, diced
• 2 carrots, diced 2 carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced 2 celery stalks, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 zucchini, diced 1 zucchini, diced
• 1 potato, diced 1 potato, diced
• 1 can (400g) diced tomatoes 1 can (400g) diced tomatoes
• 4 cups (950ml) vegetable broth 4 cups (950ml) vegetable broth
• 1 bay leaf 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 6g, 1g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 56g, 8g
• Protein: 14g
• Fiber: 14g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Drain and rinse the soaked beans.
2. 2.
   In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
3. 3.
   Add the onion, carrots, celery, and garlic to the pot. Sauté until the vegetables are softened.
4. 4.
   Add the red bell pepper, zucchini, and potato to the pot. Cook for another 5 minutes.
5. 5.
   Stir in the diced tomatoes, soaked beans, vegetable broth, bay leaf, dried thyme, and paprika.
6. 6.
   Season with salt and pepper to taste.
7. 7.
   Bring the stew to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until the beans are tender and the flavors have melded together.
8. 8.
   Remove the bay leaf before serving.
9. 9.
   Serve the Maneštra od bobići hot with crusty bread on the side.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Dried beans — Make sure to soak the beans overnight to ensure they cook evenly and become tender. This step also helps reduce cooking time.
• Bay leaf — Adding a bay leaf to the stew enhances the flavor profile and adds a subtle earthy note. Remember to remove it before serving.

Tips & Tricks

• For a thicker stew, mash some of the cooked beans against the side of the pot with a spoon.
• Feel free to add other vegetables of your choice, such as green beans or cabbage, to customize the stew to your liking.
• Serve the stew with a dollop of sour cream or a sprinkle of fresh herbs for added richness and freshness.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated and enjoyed the next day, as the flavors tend to deepen and develop further.

Serving advice

Serve the Maneštra od bobići hot in individual bowls. Accompany it with a side of crusty bread for dipping and soaking up the flavorful broth.

Presentation advice

Garnish the stew with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of fresh parsley or thyme leaves to add a pop of color and freshness to the presentation.