Mashed beans

Beans are an essential ingredient in Romanian cuisine, and the recipe for beaten beans is a true delicacy that deserves to be prepared with care. We start by soaking the beans for a minimum of 12 hours, preferably overnight, in cold water. This step is crucial as it softens the bean and reduces the cooking time, making it more digestible. After the beans have soaked, we discard the water and place them in a pot with clean, cold water to boil.

In another pot, we prepare hot water, as it is important to change the water twice during boiling. When the beans start to boil, we let them cook for a few minutes and then change the water. We repeat this operation two more times to ensure that the beans become soft and pleasant to taste. In the last water, we add the cleaned and washed vegetables: carrots, parsley, celery, and an onion. We also add a few bay leaves and a pinch of salt. We let everything boil on low heat until the beans crack and become soft.

Once the beans are cooked, we remove the vegetables from the pot and drain the beans well, transferring them to a large bowl. Using a blender, we mash the beans until we reach the desired consistency. Personally, I like to leave a few small pieces for texture, so we don't turn it completely into a paste. Then, we add salt and pepper to taste, as well as olive oil, mixing the mixture well. Finally, we incorporate the crushed garlic, which will give the dish a flavorful and intense taste.

In a frying pan, we heat a few tablespoons of oil and sauté the chopped onion. When the onion becomes translucent and starts to take on a slight golden hue, we add the tomato paste. We mix well and let the mixture cool slightly to combine the flavors.

Once all the ingredients are prepared, we distribute the beans into bowls and top with the sautéed onion. This combination is not only delicious but also nutritious. Serve with a drizzle of olive oil and, if desired, with a slice of fresh bread on the side. Enjoy your meal!