Discover the comforting charm of Bulgarian bean soup

Although Bulgaria is a popular vacation destination, its cuisine seldom features in our daily meals. A delightful bean soup can change that quickly. It is hearty, full of flavour, and ideal for warming up on chilly days. It's definitely worth trying.

Bob Chorba is one of the most iconic dishes in Bulgarian cuisine. This hearty and aromatic bean soup is a true classic that has graced Bulgarian tables for generations. Despite its simplicity, this soup delights with its depth of flavour. The combination of beans, carrots, tomatoes, and curly mint is surprisingly harmonious.

Finding curly mint can be challenging, but you can easily substitute it with regular fresh mint. Beans are a rich source of plant protein, fibre, and many vitamins and minerals, making the soup not only tasty but also highly nutritious.

It is often prepared in a vegetarian version, combining beans with other vegetables. However, you can add sautéed sausage or bacon if you want to enhance the flavour.

Ingredients:

• 1 onion,
• 3 cloves of garlic,
• 1 large carrot,
• 1 red bell pepper,
• 1 small yellow bell pepper,
• 150 grams of sausage or bacon,
• 400 grams of canned diced tomatoes,
• 1 litre of vegetable or chicken stock,
• 2 bay leaves,
• 2 teaspoons of chopped fresh mint,
• 300 grams of cooked white beans,
• 1 teaspoon of red savoury spice,
• salt and pepper to taste,
• oil for frying.

Instructions:

1. Peel the onion, dice it, and sauté until translucent.
2. Dice the bell peppers into medium-sized cubes and finely dice the carrot.
3. Add the vegetables to the translucent onion, add the pressed garlic, and fry for a few minutes.
4. Add the diced sausage or bacon and fry for another 3-4 minutes.
5. Add the diced tomatoes, pour in the stock, and add the bay leaves and mint.
6. Simmer on low heat for about 15 minutes until the vegetables are soft.
7. Add the cooked beans and savoury spice, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
8. Cook for another 2 minutes.

Ladle the ready soup into bowls and garnish with chopped parsley. It tastes fantastic the next day as well, after reheating. Enjoy!