White Bean Soup

This green bean soup recipe is a true culinary treasure, inherited from our grandparents' kitchens, full of flavors and nostalgia. It is a dish that takes us back to the springs spent with loved ones, when the vegetables were fresh and full of taste. We start by gathering the necessary ingredients: two to three handfuls of green beans, a carrot, a parsley root, a celery root, two peppers, and the same number of tomatoes, plus two stalks of rhubarb and, of course, sour cream or yogurt for serving.

The first step is to put a large pot on the heat and let it warm up well. Then, we add about half a glass of oil. Immediately, we add the three tablespoons of flour, quickly mixing with a wooden spatula. The goal is for the flour to swell without browning, so we extinguish the heat with cold water, poured slowly to avoid lumps. Gradually, we add the rest of the water, needing about three liters for the amount of vegetables mentioned.

After salting, we add the finely chopped onion and let it boil for ten minutes without a lid to reduce its strong smell. The next step is to add the green beans, cleaned and broken into equal pieces. After about a quarter of an hour, we add the diced vegetables: carrot, parsley, and celery. These should be boiled on low heat, with the lid on, to preserve their aroma and nutrients. After another ten minutes, we add the diced peppers and tomatoes, continuing the boiling process.

It is important to monitor the boiling times, as green beans take longer to soften than the other vegetables, and if we are not careful, the latter can turn into mush. When all the ingredients are cooked, we add the two stalks of rhubarb, which will give a sour taste to the soup, and the chopped garlic, which we do not let boil. We immediately extinguish the heat to preserve the freshness of the flavors.

In the end, we mix the sour cream or yogurt with a few ladles of hot broth, then pour the mixture into the pot, adding the finely chopped lovage stalks. We add the leaves only when the soup is ready to be served. This green bean soup, with spring flavors and healthy ingredients, is a true delight, perfect to be enjoyed with loved ones at a family meal. Enjoy with pleasure!