Taleshko Vareno - Serbian Vegetable Stew

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil
• 1 onion, diced 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 carrots, peeled and sliced 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
• 2 potatoes, peeled and cubed 2 potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1 red bell pepper, diced 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 zucchini, sliced 1 zucchini, sliced
• 1 cup (240ml) tomato passata 1 cup (240ml) tomato passata
• 4 cups (950ml) vegetable broth 4 cups (950ml) vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf 1 bay leaf
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish) Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 180 kcal / 753 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 6g, 1g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 28g, 8g
• Protein: 4g
• Fiber: 6g
• Salt: 1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, and sauté until they turn translucent.
2. 2.
   Add the carrots, potatoes, red bell pepper, and zucchini to the pot. Stir well to combine.
3. 3.
   Pour in the tomato passata and vegetable broth. Stir in the paprika, dried thyme, bay leaf, salt, and pepper.
4. 4.
   Bring the stew to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let it simmer for about 30 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
5. 5.
   Remove the bay leaf from the stew. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
6. 6.
   Serve the Taleshko Vareno hot, garnished with fresh parsley.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Potatoes — Make sure to cut the potatoes into evenly sized cubes to ensure they cook at the same rate.
• Tomato passata — If you can't find tomato passata, you can substitute it with tomato puree or crushed tomatoes.

Tips & Tricks

• For a heartier version, you can add some cooked beans or lentils to the stew.
• Serve the Taleshko Vareno with a dollop of sour cream or yogurt for added creaminess.
• Feel free to customize the vegetables based on what's in season or what you have on hand.
• This stew tastes even better the next day, so consider making it in advance and reheating it for a quick and satisfying meal.
• Don't forget to serve the stew with some crusty bread to soak up all the delicious flavors.

Serving advice

Serve the Taleshko Vareno as a main course, accompanied by a slice of crusty bread. It can also be enjoyed as a side dish alongside grilled meats or fish.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, sprinkle some fresh parsley on top of the stew before serving. You can also serve it in individual bowls or rustic clay pots for a more authentic touch.