Hungarian Red Bean Stew

Submitted by lecole54

"Hearty winter fare, full of flavor. Serve over noodles or thick-crusted bread; rice would be lovely too! From Martha Rose Shulman of the New York Times"

 

• Ready In: 1hr 30mins
• Ingredients: 17
• Serves: 6

ingredients

• 1 lb red beans (washed, picked over and soaked for 6 hours or overnight in 2 quarts water)
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 6 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 1 large bell pepper, cut in small dice
• 2 tablespoons sweet Hungarian paprika
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 bay leaf
• salt, to taste
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1 pinch cayenne
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1⁄2 teaspoon sugar
• fresh ground pepper, to taste
• 1⁄2 cup parsley, minced (or a combination of parsley and dill)
• 1⁄2 cup Greek yogurt (for topping)

directions

1. Drain the beans through a strainer set over a bowl. Place the beans in a large soup pot or Dutch oven. Measure the soaking water in the bowl, and add enough water to it to measure 2½ quarts. Add this to the pot with the beans, turn the heat to medium-high and bring to a gentle boil. Skim off any foam and/or bean skins.
2. Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over medium heat in a large, heavy skillet (reader suggests adding paprika here) and add the onions, carrots and peppers. Cook, stirring often, until the vegetables are tender and fragrant, about 8 to 10 minutes. Add 2 of the garlic cloves and continue to cook for another minute or so, until the garlic is fragrant. Season to taste with salt, add another tablespoon of oil and add the paprika. Cook, stirring, for a couple of minutes, until the vegetables are well coated with paprika and the mixture is aromatic. Add a ladle-ful of simmering water from the beans to the pan, stir with a wooden spoon or heatproof spatula, scraping the bottom and sides of the pan to de-glaze, then stir this mixture into the beans. Add the tomato paste and bay leaf, reduce the heat, cover and simmer 1 hour.
3. Add the oregano, the remaining garlic cloves, salt to taste, cayenne, vinegar and sugar, and continue to simmer for another hour. The beans should be thoroughly tender and the broth thick and fragrant. Taste and adjust salt, and add more cayenne if desired. For a thicker stew, strain out 1 heaped cup of beans with a little liquid and purée. Stir back into the stew.
4. Just before serving, stir in the parsley. Serve over noodles or thick slices of country bread, topping each portion with a large dollop of drained yogurt.