Our Bob Chorba is a hearty and honest recipe that will bring more to your home than just a delicious bowl of Bulgarian cuisine. It’s a healthy bean and vegetable soup that the whole family will enjoy.
Bob Chorba Recipe
Bob chorba bean soup is well-known for its filling qualities. It’s a rich, hearty soup that combines fresh vegetables and beans in a thick tomato broth. This makes it a great dish to warm up in the winter.
What is Bob Chorba?
Bob chorba, in simple terms, is a healthy soup made from Bulgarian beans. Bob chorba is a traditional staple food in Bulgaria, particularly in monasteries. It’s made from dried beans and fresh vegetables like tomato and carrot.
There are many variations of this soup. Many Bulgarians add sausage to it to make it meat-based. You can also add your ingredients.
Ingredients
These ingredients are necessary to get started with Bob Chorba:
Dried Beans – 200g (7 oz.) of white dried beans
Tomatoes – 2 medium-large tomatoes
Onion – 1 medium brown or white onion
Carrot – 1 medium-large carrot
Celery – 2 stalks
Flour – 2 tsp plain (all-purpose) flour
Oil – 3 Tbsp Sunflower Oil or Light Olive Oil
Mild Chili – 1/2 small chili pepper
Paprika – 1 tbsp
Oregano – 1 tbsp
Salt – 1 teaspoon
Black Pepper – 1/2 tsp
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1 Cover dried beans with water. Let them soak for at least 8 hours or overnight. Then, drain the water and boil the beans in 1.2 liters (5 cups) of water for approximately 50 minutes.
Step 2 While the beans boil, chop the carrot, celery stalks and onion.
Step 3 – Saute the chopped vegetables in a pan on medium heat for approximately 5 minutes.
Step 4 – Add the flour, diced chili pepper and sauteed vegetables to the pan and continue cooking for approximately 2 more minutes.
Step 5 – Once the beans have been boiled for at least 50 minutes, turn off the heat and add the vegetables to your pot with the boiled beans.
Step 6 – While the tomatoes are still hot, boil some water and place them in a large pot. Let them sit for 3-4 minutes. This is so that we can remove them more easily.
Step 7 Drain the water, rinse the tomatoes under cold water, and then peel the tomato skin. Next, cut the tomatoes into small pieces.
Step 8 – Add the chopped, peeled tomatoes to your pot and the beans.
Step 8 – Add the seasonings (salt, black pepper, paprika and oregano).
Step 9 Bringing the beans to a boil, then simmer for 8-10 minutes. Once the beans are tender, add the bob chorba and cook over medium heat until it thickens.
Step 10 – Your hot, wholesome bob Chorba is ready to enjoy! It can be served plain or with some grated cheese and parsley.
Bob chorba is a rich source of nutrients. This nutritious soup can be served as a dinner or lunch to the whole family. This hearty soup is a great option for winter, especially if you want to warm your soul and fill up your stomach.
Instructions
Allow the beans to soak in water overnight or for at least 8 hours. After draining the water, boil the beans in 1.2 liters (5 cups) of water for approximately 50 minutes.
When the beans boil, chop the celery stalks, carrot, and onion.
Sauté the chopped vegetables in a pan on medium heat for approximately 5 minutes.
Continue to cook the vegetables for 2 more minutes by adding the flour and the diced chili pepper.
After the beans have been boiled for 50 mins, turn off the heat and add the vegetables to your pot of beans.
In a separate saucepan, heat the boiling water and place the tomatoes in it. Let them sit for 3-4 minutes. This is so that we can make it easier to peel them.
Drain the water and rinse the tomatoes in cold water to make them easier to work with. Once the tomatoes are cool enough to handle, carefully peel the skin. Next, cut the tomatoes into small pieces.
Add the diced and peeled tomatoes to the pot along with the beans.
Mix the seasonings (paprika, salt, black pepper, and oregano) into the beans.
Bring the beans to a boil. Boil the beans for 8-10 minutes on low heat until they are tender and the bob Chorba becomes thick.
You are ready to enjoy your hot, wholesome bob, Chorba! You can enjoy it as is or top it with some grated cheese and parsley. Or, you can serve it with a few slices of thick-cut bread.
