Greek Bean Soup

To prepare a delicious bean soup, the first essential step is to soak the beans in cold water. It is usually recommended to leave them in water for about 6 hours to properly hydrate and reduce cooking time. It is important to choose quality beans, and this step helps not only to improve the texture but also to enhance the flavor.

After the beans have soaked, rinse them well under a stream of cold water to remove impurities. Then, place them in a pot with fresh water and boil for 30 minutes. It is good to change the water after this first boil to eliminate substances that can cause bloating. Therefore, drain the beans and put them back to boil, adding clean water, olive oil, a whole onion, a bay leaf, diced celery, and a peeled and washed carrot, left whole.

Boil the mixture over medium heat, being careful not to let the soup boil too hard, so as not to destroy the beans. When the carrot is cooked and becomes soft, remove it from the pot, slice it thinly, and keep it to add at the end to the soup, so it remains visually appealing and provides a pleasant texture.

After the beans have boiled well and become soft, add the tomato juice, which will provide a wonderful taste and a vibrant color to the dish. Let the soup simmer on low heat for a few minutes to allow the flavors to combine. Finally, add salt to taste and, if desired, sprinkle a little thyme or freshly chopped parsley for a touch of freshness. If we are in a fasting period, we can omit the feta cheese, and the soup will remain just as tasty and nutritious.

This bean soup is not only comforting but also packed with nutrients, making it perfect for cool days or for moments when we want to enjoy a healthy and delicious dish. Serving it with a slice of fresh bread will perfectly complement this warm and nourishing meal.

 Ingredients: dried beans (for each serving count as many beans as you can hold in one fist) 1 carrot 1 stalk of celery 1/2 onion 1 bay leaf tomato juice with pulp (or tomatoes without skin) oil, salt thyme or parsley

 Tags:  onion carrots tomatoes bean soup oil gluten-free recipes lactose-free recipes vegetarian recipes