Bulgarian bean soup: A flavorful twist on your classic bowl

Although Bulgaria is a known country, its local cuisine is rarely featured in our daily meals. A delicious bean soup will change that. It's hearty, full of flavor, and perfect for warming up on cold days. Give it a try, as it tastes even better than pea soup or Breton bean stew.

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

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

It is most often prepared in a vegetarian version, combining beans with various vegetables. However, you can add sautéed sausage or bacon if you wish to enhance the flavor.

Ingredients:

• 1 onion
• 3 cloves of garlic
• 1 large carrot
• 1 red bell pepper
• 1 small yellow bell pepper
• 5 ounces of sausage or bacon
• 14 ounces of canned diced tomatoes
• 1 quart of vegetable or chicken broth
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 teaspoons of chopped fresh mint
• 10 ounces of cooked white beans
• 1 teaspoon of red savory 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 pressed garlic, and fry for a few minutes.
4. Add diced sausage or bacon and fry for another 3-4 minutes.
5. Add diced tomatoes, pour in the broth, and add bay leaves and mint.
6. Simmer on low heat for about 15 minutes until the vegetables are soft.
7. Add cooked beans and savory spice, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
8. Cook for another 2 minutes.

Pour the ready soup into bowls and garnish with chopped parsley. It also tastes great the next day after reheating. Enjoy!