Beans with Smoked Meat - Like on December 1st

 Ingredients: Ingredients for 4 servings: 300g beans, 500g fatty smoked pork belly, 2 carrots, 1/2 red onion, 1 tablespoon tomato paste, 1 teaspoon sweet paprika, 1 tablespoon oil, 1 tablespoon dried thyme, 1 tablespoon dried tarragon, 2 bay leaves, salt, pepper.

To prepare a delicious bean dish with meat, the first essential step is to take care of the beans. Start by placing the beans in a large bowl with cold water, making sure to remove any floating beans, as they have been attacked by bugs. It is recommended to let the beans soak for 12 hours, preferably from evening to morning, and for optimal results, change the water once during the night.

After the beans have soaked, proceed to boiling. Place the beans together with the meat, preferably pork or beef, in a pot with cold water. Put the pot on the heat and let it simmer on low for about 30 minutes. After this interval, discard the water and rinse the beans and meat with warm water. This step helps to remove impurities and excess saltiness.

Refill the pot with fresh water, bring it to a boil, and when the water starts to warm up, add the beans, meat, and a few bay leaves to provide a flavorful taste. If you are using less salty meat, don't forget to add salt to taste. Let it simmer on very low heat until the beans become soft and well-cooked. Once the beans are ready, you can decide whether to discard the boiling water or to use the same water to retain all the flavor.

In another pot, add finely chopped onion along with sliced carrots, oil, and a little salt. When the onion becomes transparent and soft, add the boiled beans and meat. Next, pour hot water from another pot or, if you prefer, you can use the water in which the beans were boiled. Also, add tomato paste, previously mixed in a ladle with warm water, and sweet paprika for extra flavor.

Let everything boil until the carrots are complete and cooked. Finally, add thyme, tarragon, salt, and pepper to taste, stirring carefully. Once the dish is ready, turn off the heat and let it cool a bit before serving. It is ideal to enjoy it alongside red onion or hot pepper, and for an extra creaminess, you can add a spoonful of sour cream to the plate.

This recipe is not only tasty but also suitable for any occasion. Happy holidays to Romanians everywhere!

 Tags:  onion meat tomatoes bean oil gluten-free recipes lactose-free recipes