Bean stew in a cauldron - A traditional Romanian recipe full of flavors
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 1 hour
Total time: 1 hour and 15 minutes
Servings: 4-6
Bean stew in a cauldron is a classic Romanian dish that brings together simple ingredients and exquisite taste. This recipe is perfect for chilly days when you crave a hearty and comforting meal. Let’s discover together the steps to create a delicious bean stew, with a personal touch that will make it truly special.
Ingredients:
- 500 g beans (preferably dried white or yellow beans)
- 150 g lard (or oil, for a lighter version)
- 2 large onions, peeled and finely chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 large carrot, grated or sliced
- 200 g smoked sausages, sliced
- 200 g pastrama (pork or beef), sliced thin
- 2-3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Bay leaves
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Preparation:
1. Preparing the beans: Start by washing the beans in cold water, then soak them for 6-8 hours or overnight. This step will reduce the cooking time and help the beans become more digestible.
2. Boiling the beans: After the beans have soaked, drain and rinse them. Place them in a pot with cold water and bring to a boil. Let them simmer for about 30 minutes until they become slightly soft. Drain the beans and set aside.
3. Sautéing the vegetables: In a large cauldron, add the lard and let it melt over medium heat. Add the onion and bell pepper, sautéing until the onion becomes translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Add the carrot and continue to sauté for another 3-5 minutes.
4. Adding the meat: Now it’s time to add the sausages and pastrama. Sauté them together with the vegetables until the sausages turn golden and the flavors meld, about 5-10 minutes.
5. Combining the ingredients: Add the boiled beans to the cauldron, mixing well. Sprinkle in the minced garlic, sweet paprika, bay leaves, salt, and pepper to taste. Pour in enough water to cover the ingredients and let it simmer, covered, for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6. Finishing the dish: Check the consistency of the beans from time to time. If needed, you can add more water. When everything is well cooked and the flavors have combined, remove the cauldron from the heat and let it rest for 10 minutes.
7. Serving: The bean stew is served hot, sprinkled with freshly chopped parsley. It is delicious alongside warm polenta and assorted pickles.
Practical tips:
- You can also add other vegetables like celery or zucchini to diversify the flavor.
- If you prefer a spicy version, add chili peppers or hot paprika while sautéing the vegetables.
- Instead of pastrama, you can use chicken or turkey for a lighter version.
This bean stew recipe is simple yet full of flavor, perfect for enjoying with family or friends. Cook with love and enjoy every bite!
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 1 hour
Total time: 1 hour and 15 minutes
Servings: 4-6
Bean stew in a cauldron is a classic Romanian dish that brings together simple ingredients and exquisite taste. This recipe is perfect for chilly days when you crave a hearty and comforting meal. Let’s discover together the steps to create a delicious bean stew, with a personal touch that will make it truly special.
Ingredients:
- 500 g beans (preferably dried white or yellow beans)
- 150 g lard (or oil, for a lighter version)
- 2 large onions, peeled and finely chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 large carrot, grated or sliced
- 200 g smoked sausages, sliced
- 200 g pastrama (pork or beef), sliced thin
- 2-3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Bay leaves
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Preparation:
1. Preparing the beans: Start by washing the beans in cold water, then soak them for 6-8 hours or overnight. This step will reduce the cooking time and help the beans become more digestible.
2. Boiling the beans: After the beans have soaked, drain and rinse them. Place them in a pot with cold water and bring to a boil. Let them simmer for about 30 minutes until they become slightly soft. Drain the beans and set aside.
3. Sautéing the vegetables: In a large cauldron, add the lard and let it melt over medium heat. Add the onion and bell pepper, sautéing until the onion becomes translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Add the carrot and continue to sauté for another 3-5 minutes.
4. Adding the meat: Now it’s time to add the sausages and pastrama. Sauté them together with the vegetables until the sausages turn golden and the flavors meld, about 5-10 minutes.
5. Combining the ingredients: Add the boiled beans to the cauldron, mixing well. Sprinkle in the minced garlic, sweet paprika, bay leaves, salt, and pepper to taste. Pour in enough water to cover the ingredients and let it simmer, covered, for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6. Finishing the dish: Check the consistency of the beans from time to time. If needed, you can add more water. When everything is well cooked and the flavors have combined, remove the cauldron from the heat and let it rest for 10 minutes.
7. Serving: The bean stew is served hot, sprinkled with freshly chopped parsley. It is delicious alongside warm polenta and assorted pickles.
Practical tips:
- You can also add other vegetables like celery or zucchini to diversify the flavor.
- If you prefer a spicy version, add chili peppers or hot paprika while sautéing the vegetables.
- Instead of pastrama, you can use chicken or turkey for a lighter version.
This bean stew recipe is simple yet full of flavor, perfect for enjoying with family or friends. Cook with love and enjoy every bite!