Pasulj Serbian Bean Soup Recipes

PASULJ SERBIAN WHITE BEAN SOUP, OR HOW A COMMON CULTURE CAN SHINE LIKE A BEACON

Steps:

• If using dry beans, soak beans in water overnight (use 2 cups of water to each cup of beans). Drain and rinse beans.
• Pour olive oil on the bottom of the soup pot. Add onion and sauté for five minutes until it is fragrant and starts to brown. Add garlic and sauté for another five.
• If using dry beans, add the soaked, rinsed beans and enough water to cover the beans, plus cover another three inches. Bring the water to a boil then down to a simmer for 20-30 minutes, until the beans are cooked through. Add four more cups of water.
• If using canned beans, add them and enough water to cover beans + three inches, bring to a boil and then lower to a simmer, cook for 10 minutes.
• Add remaining ingredients and cook gently over a low heat until vegetables are at desired texture. (Approximately 30 minutes.)
• If desired, add a dollop of sour cream and some chopped dill in each bowl before serving.

PASULJ (SERBIAN WHITE BEAN SOUP)

Steps:

• Soak beans in plenty of cold water overnight. Drain.
• Combine beans, water, and and ham hock in a large pot and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Skim off any foam and season with salt and pepper. Reduce heat and and simmer for 1 hour.
• Add carrots, red potatoes, celery, onion, bay leaf, and peppercorns; bring to a boil again. Reduce heat and simmer for 1 more hour.
• Remove ham hock and cut off meat from the bone. Return to the soup.
• Meanwhile, heat oil in a saucepan over medium-low heat and cook garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in flour and cook, stirring, until lightly brown. Remove from heat and stir in paprika until well combined. Return to stove over low heat and stir in 1 cup of soup liquid, mixing until well combined. Pour mixture back into the soup pot and simmer for 5 minutes. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.

PASULJ (SERBIAN BEAN SOUP)

Steps:

• You will need a large saucepan. Pick over the beans for bits of grit and chaff, and rinse them twice in cold water. Put the beans in a large saucepan and cover them with water to a depth of 1 to 2 inches. Bring the water to a boil and then turn down the heat. Leave to simmer gently for half an hour. Remove the pan from the heat and pour in enough cold water to cover the beans to a depth of 3 inches. The beans will settle on the bottom. Leave them for a minute or two; then pour off the water and replace with fresh water. Bring the water to a boil and then turn down the heat to simmer. Add the onions, garlic, bay leaves, parsley, tomato paste, carrot, and peppercorns to the beans. Cook gently over very low heat for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, until the beans are soft. After 45 minutes of the cooking, add the kielbasa. Fifteen minutes before you are ready to serve, add the salt and prepare a liaison for the soup. Heat the oil until it is smoking lightly; then quickly stir in the paprika, followed by the flour. Mix to a thin paste. Add this to the soup, stirring well. Simmer for 5 minutes, until the soup is thick and rich. Serve with plenty of bread and good red wine. Serves 5 to 6. Time: 2 to 2 1/2 hours From: THE OLD WORLD KITCHEN - THE RICH TRADITION OF EUROPEAN PEASANT COOKING by Elisabeth Luard, ISBN 0-553-05219-5 Posted by: Karin Brewer, Cooking Echo, 7/92