"Ciorbă de Fasole cu Afumătură" is a traditional Romanian dish, a flavorful bean soup with smoked pork or bacon. It's a beloved comfort food prepared with white beans, typically flavored with onions, carrots, tomatoes, and sometimes sour cream for richness. The smoked pork or bacon adds a deep, savory taste to the soup. This Ciorbă de Fasole cu Afumătură is often served hot, especially during colder months, and is cherished for its hearty and comforting qualities in Romanian cuisine.
Beans have been a staple in Romanian cuisine for centuries due to their affordability, versatility, and ability to grow well in various regions of the country. They were a common crop among peasants and farmers.
The use of smoked meats in Romanian cooking also has a long history, dating back to preservation methods before refrigeration. Smoking meat was a way to extend its shelf life, and it also added a distinct flavor to dishes.
The combination of beans and smoked meats in a soup likely evolved as a hearty, nourishing meal that provided sustenance to laborers and farmers during long workdays. Over time, this dish became a beloved part of Romanian culinary tradition, passed down through generations and adapted to personal tastes and regional variations.
Each family might have its own variation of Ciorbă de Fasole cu Afumătură, adding different herbs, spices, or vegetables, while maintaining the core elements of beans and smoked meats. Today, it remains a cherished comfort food in Romania, enjoyed especially during colder months for its warmth and satisfying flavors. Here's a recipe for Ciorbă de Fasole cu Afumătură:
You can also read this Romanian recipe:
Ingredients of Ciorbă de Fasole cu Afumătură:
- 2 cups dried white beans (you may take Great Northern or navy beans), soaked overnight
- 200-250g smoked pork or bacon, chopped
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2-3 tomatoes, diced or 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 bay leaf
- 1-2 tablespoons vegetable oil or lard
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: sour cream for serving
- Fresh parsley or dill for garnish
Instructions of Making Ciorbă de Fasole cu Afumătură:
- Rinse the overnight soaked beans first and then place them in a large pot. Cover them with water (about 8-10 cups) and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until the beans are tender but not mushy (this may take about 1-1.5 hours depending on the beans). Skim off foam if any forms on the surface.
- In a separate pan, heat the oil or lard over medium heat. Add the chopped onion when the oil is hot and sauté until translucent.
- Add the diced carrots to the onions and cook for a few minutes until they begin to soften.
- Add the chopped smoked pork or bacon to the onion and carrot mixture. Sauté until the meat is slightly browned.
- Add the tomatoes or tomato paste to the pot with the beans. Stir in the sautéed onion, carrot, and meat mixture.
- Add the bay leaf, season with salt and pepper to taste, and let the soup simmer for another 20-30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
- Adjust seasoning if needed. Remove the bay leaf before serving.
- Serve your newly made Ciorbă de Fasole cu Afumăturăhot hot, optionally topped with a dollop of sour cream and garnished with fresh parsley or dill.
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