Soup

Fažolada (white bean soup with smoked meat)

Name: Fažolada (white bean soup with smoked meat)
Total time: 90 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 400 g White beans; 200 g Viande fumée; 1 Carrot; 1 Onion; 2 cloves Garlic; 1 leaf Feuille de laurier; 2 tbsp Tomato paste; 1 tsp Paprika

Preparation time: 1 h 30
Servings: 6

Ingredients

White beans — to buy400 g
Viande fumée — to buy200 g
Carrot — to buy1
Onion — to buy1
Garlic — to buy2 cloves
Feuille de laurier — to buy1 leaf
Tomato paste — to buy2 tbsp
Paprika — to buy1 tsp

Preparation

The night before, soak 400 g dried white beans in a large volume of cold water: this step is essential for even cooking and easier digestion.
Drain the beans, cover them with fresh water in a large pot with a bay leaf, bring to a boil, then simmer gently for 45 minutes until tender.
Meanwhile, finely chop the onion and garlic, dice the carrot, then sauté everything for 8 minutes in a little oil until golden and fragrant.
Add 200 g smoked meat cut into chunks and let it brown for 5 minutes with the vegetables: this is what gives fažolada its characteristic smoky flavor.
Sprinkle with a teaspoon of sweet paprika, stir briskly for 30 seconds over low heat to release its aroma without burning it, which would make it bitter.
Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste, then pour this mixture into the pot of beans along with their cooking water.
Simmer for another 25 minutes covered so the flavors combine, mashing a ladleful of beans against the side of the pot to naturally thicken the soup.
Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper, and serve piping hot with a slice of country bread.