Vipavska Jota with a Twist

Ingredients

• 2 cups (400g) dried white beans 2 cups (400g) dried white beans
• 4 cups (950ml) vegetable broth 4 cups (950ml) vegetable broth
• 1 cup (240ml) water 1 cup (240ml) water
• 1 onion, diced 1 onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 slices bacon, chopped 4 slices bacon, chopped
• 1 cup (240g) sauerkraut, drained and rinsed 1 cup (240g) sauerkraut, drained and rinsed
• 2 carrots, peeled and diced 2 carrots, peeled and diced
• 2 potatoes, peeled and diced 2 potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1 bay leaf 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 8g, 2g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 55g, 6g
• Protein: 18g
• 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, cook the bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon from the pot and set aside.
3. 3.
   In the same pot, sauté the diced onion and minced garlic until translucent.
4. 4.
   Add the drained beans, vegetable broth, water, sauerkraut, carrots, potatoes, bay leaf, and dried thyme to the pot. Season with salt and pepper.
5. 5.
   Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the beans are tender and the flavors have melded together.
6. 6.
   Remove the bay leaf and adjust the seasoning if needed.
7. 7.
   Serve the Vipavska Jota hot, garnished with the crispy bacon.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Dried white beans — Soaking the beans overnight helps to reduce the cooking time and ensures they cook evenly. If you're short on time, you can also use canned white beans, but adjust the cooking time accordingly.
• Sauerkraut — Rinse the sauerkraut before using to remove excess saltiness. This will help balance the flavors in the stew.

Tips & Tricks

• For a smokier flavor, you can use smoked paprika or add a small amount of liquid smoke to the stew.
• Serve the Vipavska Jota with crusty bread or cornbread to soak up the delicious flavors.
• Feel free to customize the recipe by adding other vegetables such as celery or bell peppers.

Serving advice

Serve the Vipavska Jota hot in bowls, garnished with the crispy bacon. Accompany it with a side of crusty bread or cornbread for a complete and satisfying meal.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, sprinkle some fresh chopped parsley or thyme leaves on top of the stew before serving. This adds a pop of color and freshness to the dish.