Authentic Pasulj Recipe: Serbian White Bean Soup

Ingredients

• 0.5 pound dried great Northern beans, rinsed
• 16 cups water
• 1.5 pounds ham hock
• salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 3 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 3 red potatoes, peeled and chopped
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 large bay leaf
• 6 peppercorns peppercorns
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon paprika

Instructions

1. Soak the white beans overnight in a large bowl filled with cold water. Drain the soaked beans thoroughly before cooking.
2. In a large pot, combine the drained beans, water, and ham hock. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, skimming off any foam that rises to the surface. Season generously with salt and pepper. Reduce the heat to low and let the soup simmer gently for 1 hour.
3. Add the carrots, red potatoes, celery, onion, bay leaf, and peppercorns to the pot. Bring the soup back to a boil, then reduce the heat and continue to simmer for another hour, allowing the flavors to meld together.
4. Take out the ham hock from the soup and cut the meat off the bone. Dice the ham and return it to the soup for added flavor.
5. In a saucepan, heat oil over medium-low heat. Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, approximately 1 minute. Stir in flour and cook, stirring constantly, until lightly brown. Remove from the heat and stir in paprika until well combined. Return the saucepan to low heat and gradually stir in 1 cup of the soup liquid, mixing until smooth. Pour this mixture back into the main soup pot and simmer for an additional 5 minutes. Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.

Nutrition

• Calories: 287 kcal
• Fat Content: 15 g
• Fiber Content: 6 g
• Sugar Content: 2 g
• Sodium Content: 63 mg
• Protein Content: 15 g
• Cholesterol Content: 39 mg
• Carbohydrate Content: 24 g
• Saturated Fat Content: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat Content: 0 g