Sopa de Porotos Paraguaya
A hearty and comforting bean soup, Sopa de Porotos is a staple in Paraguayan cuisine. It features tender beans simmered with pumpkin, aromatic vegetables, and finished with crumbled Paraguayan cheese, offering a rich and savory flavor.
🧂 Ingredients
- 500 g Pequi beans (or pinto beans)(soaked overnight)
- 1 liter Vegetable broth
- 1 medium Onion(finely chopped)
- 3 cloves Garlic cloves(minced)
- 1 medium Red bell pepper(diced)
- 2 medium Carrots(diced)
- 250 g Pumpkin(peeled and diced)
- 150 g Soup noodles
- 1 tsp Oregano
- 1 leaf Bay leaf
- 250 g Queso Paraguay(crumbled)
- 0.5 cup Parsley(chopped)
- 1 pinch Salt
- 1 pinch Black pepper
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
👨‍🍳 Instructions
- 1
Rinse the soaked beans thoroughly. In a large pot, combine the beans with vegetable broth and cook over low heat for about 1.5 hours, or until tender.
- 2
While the beans are cooking, heat olive oil in a separate pan over medium heat. Sauté the chopped onion until translucent, about 8 minutes. Add minced garlic, diced bell pepper, and diced carrots. Cook for another 5 minutes until slightly softened.
- 3
Add the sautéed vegetables to the pot with the beans. Stir in the diced pumpkin, oregano, and bay leaf. Continue to simmer until the beans and pumpkin are tender, about 20-30 minutes more.
- 4
Add the soup noodles to the pot and cook according to package directions, usually about 8-10 minutes, until al dente.
- 5
Stir in the crumbled Queso Paraguay and chopped parsley. Cook for another minute until the cheese is melted and the soup has thickened slightly. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove the bay leaf before serving.
đź’ˇ Pro Tips
- âś“For a creamier texture, you can mash some of the cooked beans against the side of the pot before adding the noodles.
- âś“If you don't have Queso Paraguay, a mild, crumbly white cheese like feta or queso fresco can be used as a substitute.
- âś“This soup can be made ahead of time and reheated; the flavors often meld and improve overnight.
🔄 Variations
- Add shredded chicken or beef for a more substantial meal.
- Incorporate other vegetables like corn or peas.
- Serve with a dollop of sour cream or a drizzle of chili oil.