Pasul (Albanian White Bean Stew)
In short: White beans simmered slowly with onion, carrot, tomato and sweet paprika until creamy, a budget-friendly winter staple eaten with bread and pickles. It takes about 2 h 10 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 1 h 50 min
- Resting
- 8 h
- Total
- 2 h 10 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 330 kcal
Beans are everyday food in Albania, and a pot of pasul, also called fasule, is the kind of dinner families make through winter and on fasting days. The dried beans are soaked, then simmered with onion, carrot and tomato until some of them break down and thicken the broth. Paprika fried in oil gives the color. It is eaten hot with bread, pickled peppers and raw onion, and it tastes even better the next day.
Instructions
- Put the drained beans in a large pot with the fresh water and bring to a boil. Skim off the foam, then simmer partly covered for 45 minutes.
- Meanwhile, heat the oil in a frying pan and cook the onions and carrots over medium heat for 10 minutes, until soft.
- Stir in the garlic, tomato paste, paprika and pepper flakes and cook for 1 minute, until the paste darkens and smells sweet.
- Add the vegetable mixture to the beans along with the bay leaves and black pepper. Simmer gently for 45 to 60 minutes, until the beans are creamy and the broth has thickened.
- Add the salt in the last 15 minutes. Mash a few beans against the side of the pot to thicken the stew.
- Stir in the mint and parsley, rest for 10 minutes and serve hot with bread, pickled peppers and raw onion.
Tips
- Skip the soaking with 4 cans (400 g / 14 oz each) of white beans, drained. Use 700 ml (3 cups) of water and simmer for only 25 minutes.
- For a smoky version, use smoked paprika instead of sweet paprika, or add 1 tsp of it along with the sweet paprika in step 3.
Questions and answers
Do I have to soak the beans?
Soaking overnight shortens the cooking time and helps the beans cook evenly. If you forget, cover them with boiling water for 1 hour, or use canned beans.
Can I freeze bean stew?
Yes. Cool it fully and freeze for up to 3 months. It thickens as it sits, so loosen it with a little hot water when you reheat it.
What do you serve with pasul?
Fresh bread, pickled peppers, raw onion and a tomato salad are the usual partners. A drizzle of olive oil on top is also common.
How long does it take to make Pasul (Albanian White Bean Stew)?
About 2 h 10 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 1 h 50 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Pasul (Albanian White Bean Stew)?
About 330 kcal per serving, with 16 g of protein, 50 g of carbohydrates and 8 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 330 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 16 g |
| Carbohydrates | 50 g |
| Fat | 8 g |
| Fiber | 14 g |
| Sugar | 8 g |
| Sodium | 620 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
