Serbian-style bean stew with white beans

Ingredients for 4 servings:

• 250 g white beans
• 3 onions
• 2 garlic cloves
• 3 carrots
• 3 stalk(s) celery
• 250 g bacon
• 1 small can of tomatoes, chopped, approx. 400 g
• 500 ml vegetable stock
• 3 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 tbsp paprika powder, hot or smoked
• Salt
• pepper
• 2 tbsp marjoram

Instructions

Working time approx. 20 minutes; Rest time approx. 12 hours; Cooking/baking time approx. 1 hour 15 minutes; Total time approx. 13 hours 35 minutes

Soak the white beans in water overnight. Peel one onion and one garlic and dice them very finely. Dice the bacon. Sauté the onion together with the garlic, bacon, tomato paste, and marjoram (for vegetarian/vegan options, you can omit the bacon). Drain the soaked beans and add them. Top up with stock so that everything is well covered. Add more stock if needed. Bring everything to a boil and simmer for about 45 minutes. Trim and finely dice the remaining onions, carrots, and celery, and add them with the chopped tomatoes. Season with paprika, pepper, and salt to taste. Simmer for another 30-45 minutes, until the beans are tender.