Bean soup with smoked meat

Bean soup with smoked meat is a traditional Romanian recipe, full of flavors and nostalgia, perfect for chilly days. This soup is not only comforting but also an excellent option for a nutritious lunch, served alongside warm polenta. In the following, I will show you step by step how to prepare a delicious bean soup with smoked meat, easy to make, that will impress anyone who tastes it.

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 2 hours
Total time: 2 hours and 15 minutes
Number of servings: 6

Ingredients:
- 300 g white or speckled beans
- 700 g smoked meat (smoked ham hock or other smoked meat)
- 2 medium carrots
- 1 red bell pepper (optional, but recommended for an extra splash of color)
- 1 white onion
- 1 red onion (or shallots, depending on preference)
- 1 medium celery
- 1 bunch of fresh lovage (or fresh parsley and dried lovage if unavailable)
- 300 ml tomato paste or diced tomatoes
- 1-2 sprigs of thyme
- Bay leaves
- Pepper to taste
- 1 cube of soup concentrate
- Borscht to taste
- Paprika to preference
- Vegeta (optional, for extra flavor)

Start by thoroughly washing the beans and soaking them in cold water the night before. This step is essential to reduce the cooking time and to achieve more easily digestible beans. The next day, drain the beans and place them in a large pot, adding about 1.5-2 liters of water. Boil the beans over medium heat for 30-40 minutes or until they become almost soft.

In another pot, add the smoked meat and boil it for 30 minutes. It is recommended to boil it separately to better control the flavor and avoid it becoming too salty. After the meat has boiled, add it along with the water to the pot with the beans.

Meanwhile, peel and finely chop the carrots, celery, white onion, and red onion. Add these vegetables to the pot with beans and smoked meat, along with the diced bell pepper. These vegetables will add sweetness and flavor to the soup.

After everything has boiled for about 30 minutes, add the tomato paste, thyme, bay leaves, pepper, and soup cube. Let the soup simmer on low heat for another 30 minutes. Finally, add the fresh lovage or parsley, borscht, and paprika to taste. These will give an extra boost of flavor and freshness to your soup.

A useful tip is to adjust the consistency of the soup by adding water or borscht, depending on your preferences. Additionally, if you like a more sour soup, you can add more borscht or even a splash of vinegar.

The bean soup with smoked meat is ideally served in deep bowls, alongside warm polenta and, optionally, with a bit of hot pepper or sour cream. This recipe will not only warm the hearts of your loved ones but will also bring a touch of tradition to your meals. Enjoy your meal!

 Ingredients: 700 g smoked meat: smoked ham or any smoked meat 2 medium carrots 1 red bell pepper if available 1 white onion 1 red onion 1 celery 1 bunch of fresh lovage (since I couldn't find it, I used fresh parsley and dried lovage) Tomato paste or tomatoes approximately 300 ml Thyme 300 g white or speckled beans Bay leaves Pepper Vegeta 1 cube of concentrate Borscht Paprika