Iahnie de Fasole Afumată
A smoky and hearty Romanian white bean stew, slow-cooked with smoked sausage and seasoned with paprika and summer savory. This dish is a comforting and flavorful representation of Romanian peasant cuisine.
🧂 Ingredients
- 500 g Dry white beans(soaked overnight)
- 2 tbsp Vegetable oil
- 2 medium Yellow onions(finely diced)
- 2 medium Red bell peppers(finely diced)
- 200 g Smoked sausage(sliced or diced)
- 1 tbsp Smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp Summer savory (cimbru)(dried)
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper(freshly ground)
- enough to cover Water or vegetable broth
- for garnish Fresh dill and parsley(finely diced)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Drain the soaked beans. Place them in a large pot with enough fresh water to cover. Add one of the diced onions, a bay leaf (optional), and simmer until the beans are tender, about 40-60 minutes. Drain the beans, reserving about 2 cups of the cooking liquid.
- 2
While the beans are cooking, heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the remaining diced onion and sauté until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Add the diced red bell peppers and cook for another 5 minutes until softened.
- 3
Add the sliced smoked sausage to the skillet and cook for a few minutes until lightly browned. Stir in the smoked paprika and summer savory, cooking for another minute until fragrant.
- 4
Add the cooked beans to the skillet. Pour in the reserved bean cooking liquid (enough to almost cover the beans and vegetables). Season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- 5
If the stew is too liquid, you can simmer it uncovered for the last 10-15 minutes to thicken. Adjust seasoning if necessary. Garnish with fresh dill and parsley before serving.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Using dry beans and soaking them overnight yields the best texture and flavor.
- ✓If using canned beans, drain and rinse them, and add them in the last 30 minutes of cooking, simmering uncovered to thicken.
- ✓This stew is even better the next day, as the flavors have more time to meld.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- For a vegetarian/vegan version, omit the smoked sausage and use vegetable broth.
- Add diced potatoes along with the beans for a heartier stew.
- Serve with a dollop of sour cream or a side of mămăligă.