Mashed beans

Mashed beans: a comforting delicacy for cold days

On cold winter days, nothing compares to a warm and hearty meal that fills our souls and energizes us. Mashed beans are a traditional dish, rich in protein and flavor, perfect for recharging our batteries. This simple and delicious recipe is not only easy to prepare but also versatile, as it can be served alongside pickles or summer salads, depending on the season.

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 1 hour
Total time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 4-6

Essential ingredients:

- 1000 g of beans (preferably white or pod beans)
- 2 carrots
- 1 parsley root
- 1 small celery
- 1 yellow onion
- 1 head of garlic
- 200 ml of olive oil
- 2 g of sweet paprika
- iodized salt (to taste)

Preparing the beans:

1. Choosing the beans: Carefully select the beans, ensuring there are no impurities or damaged beans. It is recommended to use white beans, which have a milder taste.
2. Soaking: Place the beans in cold water and let them soak overnight. This step not only reduces cooking time but also improves the digestibility of legumes, preventing intestinal discomfort.
3. Boiling: The next day, drain the beans and place them in a pot with fresh water. Add the cleaned vegetables - carrots, parsley, and celery. Boil everything for about an hour or until the beans become tender.

Processing technique:

4. Blending: Once the beans are boiled, drain the water and let them cool slightly. Use a blender or meat grinder to turn the beans, along with the boiled vegetables, into a fine paste. If you prefer a more rustic texture, you can leave some larger pieces.
5. Adding garlic: Peel the garlic and crush it before adding it to the bean mixture. This will provide an intense and aromatic flavor, essential for our recipe.

Preparing the onion:

6. Fried onion: Peel and finely slice the onion. In a frying pan, add a little olive oil and sauté the onion over low heat. It is important not to brown it; we want to achieve a translucent onion. Once ready, turn off the heat and add the sweet paprika, mixing well to incorporate the flavors.

Assembling the dish:

7. Mixing: In a large bowl, combine the bean paste with the sautéed onion mixture. Gradually add the olive oil, stirring vigorously until you achieve a smooth and creamy consistency. Taste and add salt as desired.

Serving:

8. Decorating: You can place the mashed beans in beautiful shapes or simply on a platter. Garnish with the fried onion and, for a more appealing look, you can add a slice of lemon or a few fresh parsley leaves.
9. Serving suggestion: This dish is the perfect delight alongside crunchy pickles or chopped sauerkraut. The flavors complement each other perfectly, bringing a delicious contrast between creamy and tangy.

Useful tips:

- Vegan option: This recipe is already vegan, but you can experiment with different vegetables or spices, such as cumin or coriander, to give it a personal touch.
- Storage: Mashed beans keep very well in the refrigerator in an airtight container for a few days. You can also use it as a filling for sandwiches or tartines.
- Calories and nutritional benefits: A serving of mashed beans has approximately 300-400 calories, being rich in plant proteins, fibers, and essential vitamins. It is an excellent choice for a healthy diet.

Frequently asked questions:

- Can I use canned beans? It is recommended to use dried beans to achieve the best texture and flavor, but if you are short on time, canned beans can be an alternative. Make sure to rinse them well to remove excess salt.
- How can I enhance the flavor? You can add various spices, such as black pepper, or even a splash of balsamic vinegar for a more complex taste.

Mashed beans are not just a comforting dish, but also an invitation to enjoy moments spent at the table with loved ones. Whether served as an appetizer or a main dish, this preparation will surely bring smiles to the faces of those who taste it. Enjoy your meal!

The beans are selected and soaked in cold water overnight. The next day, they are drained and boiled with the cleaned vegetables. They are cooked for about an hour, then drained of the liquid. All ingredients are blended or minced. The peeled and pressed garlic is added to the bean mixture. All ingredients are mixed vigorously, thinning with olive oil. Meanwhile, the onion is cleaned, sliced finely, and sautéed in oil over low heat, without browning. Once the onion becomes translucent, the heat is turned off and sweet paprika is added, mixing until fully incorporated. The beaten beans are placed in various shapes and garnished with the sautéed onion with paprika. It is served when cooled, usually with pickles or chopped sauerkraut. Enjoy your meal!

 Ingredients: beans 1000 g, carrots 2 pieces, parsley root 1 piece, small celery 1 piece, yellow onion 1 piece, iodized salt, olive oil 200 ml, garlic 1 bulb, sweet paprika 2 g.

 Tags:  mashed beans