Greek Bean Soup Recipes

GREEK BEAN SOUP

Steps:

• Place beans in a large bowl or pot and cover with fresh water. Allow to soak 8 hours to overnight.
• Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large, heavy soup pot. Cook celery and onion until soft and translucent, 5 to 7 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 minute more.
• Drain beans and add to the pot with the onion mixture. Cover with 2 inches of cold water and add tomatoes, parsley, dill, oregano, and basil. Bring to a boil, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat and cook until beans are soft, checking every 15 to 20 minutes and adding water as necessary, for 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
• Add remaining 1/4 cup olive oil to the soup and season with salt, pepper, and sugar.

HOW TO MAKE TRADITIONAL GREEK BEAN SOUP (FASOLADA)

Steps:

• Pick over and rinse the beans, discard malformed or stone-like ones. Soak the beans for at least 8 hours or overnight (preferably).
• The next morning, drain and rinse the beans. Place them in a large pot with just enough fresh water to cover them. Bring to a boil. You will notice that white foam will rise to the surface of the water. Remove it with a spoon and then drain the beans in a colander. (This step is necessary to get rid of the impurities and it also makes the beans much easier on your stomach!)
• Place the beans back in the pot with the six cups of fresh water. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to medium-low, and simmer for about 30 minutes. While the beans cook, prep the vegetables.
• Add the onion, celery, carrots, garlic, ⅓ cup of olive oil and bay leaves to the pot. Simmer, partially covered for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Next, add the tomatoes, tomato paste, potato and the seasoning. Cover the pot partially and continue simmering for about 30 minutes more, or, until the beans are very tender and the soup is thick and creamy (*see note). Check to see if a little more liquid is needed, and if it does add a little warm water. The consistency of the soup should be thick.
• Just before removing from the heat, discard the bay leaves and stir in the vinegar and the remaining ⅓ cup of olive oil. Taste and adjust the seasoning.
• Serve hot with some hearty bread, seasoned olives and Greek Feta cheese.

GREEK BEAN SOUP

Steps:

• In a large sauce pan saute onions, celery and carrots in oil over medium heat for 5 minutes.
• Add broth, garlic, oregano and pepper and bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes.
• Add beans and cabbage, and simmer 5 minutes.
• Add lemon juice and simmer 5 minutes.
• Ladle into individual soup bowls and top with cheese, tomato and parsley.

TRADITIONAL GREEK BEAN SOUP RECIPE (FASOLADA)

Steps:

• To prepare the fasolada (Greek bean soup), place the beans in a saucepan with plenty of cold water to cover them. Bring to the boil, turn the heat down to medium and parboil for 30-35 minutes, until slightly tender. Drain in colander and set aside.
• Finely chop the onion, celery and carrots. Add 3-4 tbsps of olive oil in a deep pan, add the chopped vegetables and blend. Sauté for about 2 minutes and add the tomato paste and continue sautéing for a minute.
• Add the parboiled beans in the pan and pour in enough boiling water to cover the beans and little bit more and blend lightly. Place the lid on and simmer the fasolada for about 35 minutes, until the beans are tender.
• Towards the end of cooking time, pour in the remaining olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Boil for a few more minutes, until the soup becomes thick and creamy.
• Serve this traditional Greek bean soup (fasolada) while still steaming hot with a few Kalamata olives and of course some village bread. Enjoy!

FASSOULADA (GREEK BEAN SOUP)

Steps:

• Drain beans and place in large saucepan.
• Cover with cold water and bring to a boil, skimming off any froth with a slotted spoon.
• Add all other ingredients except salt and pepper.
• Simmer for 1-1/2 hours or until tender.
• Allow to cool slightly.
• Season with salt and pepper and serve.

GREEN BEAN SOUP

Steps:

• In a large pot over medium heat, combine green beans, garlic, parsley, salt and water to cover and cook until beans are tender.
• Fry bacon until crisp, set aside. Add onion and flour to bacon grease, stirring until smooth and brown. Add some water from the beans, stirring slowly and constantly to prevent lumps.
• Cook to thicken a bit, then add it to the bean soup and bring to a boil. Stir crisp bacon, sour cream and vinegar.

FASOLATHA (GREEK BEAN SOUP)

Steps:

• Soak the beans in water over night.
• Strain the water and place the beans in a pot with new water.
• Bring to a boil, remove from heat; strain water.
• Replace the beans, add the rest of the ingredients and enough water to cover all the ingredients and simmer covered for an hour.