Israeli Bean Soup Recipes

HEALTHY BEAN SOUP WITH KALE

Steps:

• In a large pot, heat olive oil.
• Add garlic and onion; saute until soft and the onion is transparent.
• Wash the kale, leaving small droplets of water. Saute, stirring, until wilted and a lovely emerald green, about 15 minutes.
• Add 3 cups of the broth, reserving 1 cup, 2 cups of the beans, reserving 1 cup, all of the carrots, tomatoes, herbs, salt and pepper.
• Simmer 5 minutes.
• In a blender or food processor, mix the reserved beans and broth until smooth.
• Stir into the soup to thicken it nicely.
• Simmer 15 more minutes.
• Ladle into bowls; sprinkle with chopped parsley and shredded parmesan.
• Serve with a nice loaf of crusty bread to soak up all the yummy broth!
• For Vegetarian use the vegetable broth.

ISRAELI BEAN SOUP

Steps:

• Soak beans overnight. Drain and rinse well.
• Heat oil in a large heavy bottomed soup pot and saute onion and celery for five minutes until golden.
• Add carrots and garlic and saute for another five minutes. Add water, beans, potatoes, bay leaves, thyme and cumin.
• Bring to a boil, and then reduce to simmer for 1 hour.
• Add tomatoes, tomato paste, salt and pepper.
• Cook 1/2 hour longer, until beans are tender.
• Add cilantro.
• If soup is too thick thin with a little bit of water.
• Time given does not include overnight soaking.

BESSARA (DRIED FAVA BEAN SOUP)

Steps:

• Soak the beans in water for 2 hours, drain and put in a pot with 2 quarts of cold water. Bring to a boil, skim and simmer, covered, for 2 hours, until the beans are very soft. Add the salt and mash the beans by hand or, for a smoother texture, puree in a blender and return to the pot.
• Fry the garlic in 2 tablespoons of the olive oil until golden, about 3 minutes. Add the paprika, cumin, turmeric and cayenne. Add to the soup and simmer for 30 minutes longer, adding water if the soup becomes too thick. Just before serving, stir in the lemon juice and the coriander. Garnish with a drizzle of olive oil, if desired.