How to make
Start by preparing the beans. Rinse the dry white beans thoroughly under running water and place them in a bowl. Cover them with cold water and allow them to soak for several hours or preferably overnight. This helps soften the beans and ensures they cook evenly.
After soaking, drain the beans and rinse them again. Transfer them to a pot and cover with fresh water. Place the pot over medium heat and bring the beans to a boil. Once they begin to boil, discard the water and refill the pot with fresh water. This step helps reduce heaviness and improves the flavor of the beans.
Continue cooking the beans over moderate heat until they become completely tender. When they are ready, drain them and set them aside.
Next, finely chop the sauerkraut. If the sauerkraut tastes very salty, it can be lightly rinsed with water before cooking.
Place the chopped sauerkraut in a large pot with a little oil and a small amount of sauerkraut juice. Add the finely chopped onion and diced carrot. Place the whole chili pepper in the pot as well. Cook everything over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage softens and the vegetables release their aroma.
Once the sauerkraut becomes tender, stir in the tomato paste and mix well so it spreads evenly throughout the dish. This gives the stew a richer color and a slightly thicker sauce.
Push the sauerkraut mixture to one side of the pot. In the empty space, add a little oil and the flour. Cook the flour for about a minute, stirring constantly until it begins to turn lightly golden.
Add the paprika and dried spearmint to the flour mixture and stir quickly so the paprika does not burn. Then combine everything in the pot so the sauerkraut, vegetables, and thickened mixture blend together.
Add the cooked white beans and stir gently so they are evenly distributed.
Allow the dish to simmer over low heat for about 30-40 minutes. During this time the beans absorb the flavors of the sauerkraut and spices, and the sauce thickens into a rich and comforting stew.
Your bean and sauerkraut stew is now ready - quick, simple, and incredibly flavorful.
Serve the dish warm in a deep bowl or a traditional clay pot. It pairs wonderfully with fresh country bread, a hot chili pepper, or homemade pickles. Some people also like to sprinkle a little extra paprika on top when serving.
Take a look at our recipe for a delicious bean stew in a clay pot, try the traditional stuffed peppers with beans, or explore the classic Bulgarian bean soup.
