Bean soup with red beet

Bean borscht with red beet – a traditional, comforting recipe, ideal for cool days. This dish is not only healthy but also brings a vibrant splash of color and flavor to your table. Total time: 3 hours. Preparation time: 30 minutes. Cooking time: 2 hours 30 minutes. This recipe serves 4-6 portions, perfect for a family or to be enjoyed on weekends with loved ones.

Necessary ingredients:
- 250 g dried beans (preferably white or pinto)
- 2 medium red beets
- 1 large carrot
- 1 large onion
- 2-3 cloves of garlic
- 2 liters of water
- 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1-2 bay leaves
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Vinegar or lemon juice (optional, for serving)
- Fresh herbs (parsley or dill) for garnish

Instructions:

1. Preparing the beans: Start by placing the dried beans in cold water the night before. Let them soak for 8-12 hours. This step is essential as it helps the beans cook evenly and reduces boiling time. The next day, drain the beans and rinse them under cold water.

2. Boiling the beans: Place the beans in a large pot, add 2 liters of fresh water, and bring to a boil. Once the water starts boiling, change the water twice to eliminate toxins and reduce flatulence. Boil the beans over medium heat for about 1-1.5 hours or until soft.

3. Preparing the vegetables: Meanwhile, peel the beet, carrot, and onion. Cut the beet into cubes or strips, the carrot into rounds, and the onion finely. If you want to enhance your culinary skills, you can use a grater for the carrot to achieve a finer texture.

4. Sauté the vegetables: In a pan, heat the olive oil. Add the onion and sauté until it becomes translucent. Follow with the carrot and beet, letting them sauté for 5-7 minutes. This step adds a delicious aroma and helps develop the flavor of the borscht.

5. The final combination: Once the beans are boiled, add the vegetable mixture to the pot with the beans. Add the bay leaves and crushed garlic. Let it simmer on low heat for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

6. Adjusting the taste: At the end, remove the bay leaves, add salt and pepper to taste. If you want a more pronounced acidity, drizzle a little vinegar or lemon juice. This ingredient adds a pleasant contrast to the sweetness of the beet.

7. Serving: Serve the borscht hot, garnished with chopped fresh herbs. This bean borscht with red beet is delicious alongside a slice of homemade bread or corn bread.

Possible variations: You can add potatoes or celery to enrich the borscht's consistency. Also, for a more intense flavor, experiment with adding paprika or cumin.

This bean borscht with red beet not only offers a divine taste but is also a nourishing dish, full of protein and vitamins. It will entice you to try the dish every time you crave healthy comfort food!