Dried Bean Soup

Bean Borscht: a traditional recipe full of flavor

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Soaking time: 12 hours (from evening to morning)
Cooking time: 1 hour
Total: 1 hour and 15 minutes
Number of servings: 4-6

Bean borscht is a classic dish of Romanian cuisine, perfect for cool days when you need a bowl of warm and comforting food. This simple yet delicious recipe will remind you of family meals, where the aroma of fresh vegetables and sour borscht blend harmoniously. Let's see together how to prepare it step by step to achieve a perfect result.

Necessary ingredients:
- 500 g dried beans (choose white or red beans according to preference)
- 2 medium onions
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste (or tomato purée)
- Fresh parsley and tarragon leaves
- 1 parsley root
- 1 small celery
- 2 large carrots
- 3-4 tablespoons sunflower oil or olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- 1 bunch of fresh lovage
- 1 liter of borscht (or more, according to preference)
- Water (enough to cover the beans)

Step 1: Preparing the beans
Start by carefully selecting the dried beans, removing any impurities or damaged beans. Wash the beans under cold running water and place them in a large bowl. Cover with warm water and let soak overnight. This step is essential to reduce cooking time and make the beans more digestible.

Step 2: Boiling the beans
The next day, drain the beans and place them in a large pot. Add fresh water (about 2 liters) and put the pot over medium heat. When the water starts to boil, add a teaspoon of salt. Boil the beans for about 30 minutes, until they become soft but not completely cooked.

Step 3: Preparing the vegetables
Meanwhile, peel and finely chop the onions, carrots, celery, and parsley root. These vegetables will add a special flavor to your borscht. In a separate pan, heat the oil over medium heat and sauté the onion until it becomes translucent. Add the carrots, celery, and parsley root and continue to cook for another 5-7 minutes, until the vegetables become slightly tender.

Step 4: Combining the ingredients
After the beans are nearly cooked, add the sautéed vegetable mixture to the pot with the beans. Add the tomato paste, and if you want a sourer borscht, I recommend adding a little of the sour borscht as well. Continue to simmer on low heat for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 5: Finishing the borscht
When the vegetables and beans are fully cooked, add the lovage and freshly chopped parsley. Taste the borscht and adjust the salt or acidity by adding more borscht if necessary. Let the borscht simmer for a few more minutes for the flavors to blend well.

Step 6: Serving
Bean borscht is served hot, ideally with a slice of homemade bread or polenta. You can add a tablespoon of sour cream on top for extra creaminess. Another delicious option is to add a few drops of balsamic vinegar for an interesting flavor contrast.

Useful tips:
- If you want to save time, you can use canned beans, but in this case, use less salt, as the beans are already salted.
- The vegetarian version of this borscht can be obtained by omitting the tomato paste and replacing it with fresh tomato purée.
- For an even more intense flavor, you can add a few peppercorns or a bay leaf during boiling.

Bean borscht is not just a simple recipe, but also a nutrient-rich meal, perfect for warming your soul. Try this recipe and let yourself be carried away by the traditional flavors of Romanian cuisine!