How to make
When I first tried the combination of bean stew with meatballs, I was so fascinated by how these two flavors go together, complement and flow into each other. However, these stuffed meatballs are even tastier.
To prepare this delicious dish, start the day before.
Soak the beans in water, and separately knead the minced meat for the meatballs. For it, soak the slice of bread with water, squeeze it and add it to the minced meat along with the egg, half an onion - finely chopped, cumin, black pepper, parsley, a pinch of sugar, salt, alcohol, one or half a carrot and if it is very large - finely grated, and the savory herb (do not overdo it, so that it doesn't overpower the aroma). I personally like more cumin, I also add chili flakes, but this is optional.
Knead the minced meat well, cover the dish and leave it overnight in the refrigerator - as much time as the beans need.
The next day, throw away its water, pour in a new one and boil it for about 15 minutes. Change the water again and leave it to cook halfway for about 1 hour and 20 minutes with the lid half open. Top up with warm water, if necessary to keep it well covered with liquid.
Prepare your vegetables by cleaning them. Chop the onion and peppers, finely grate the carrot and finely chope the celery.
Put them to cook with the beans without the onions. A thickener will be made with it.
Heat 5-6 tbsp. of oil and add the chopped onion. When it softens and aquires a light color, add the tomato puree along with the paprika. Cook for a minute and pour it over the beans.
To thicken the bean soup, dissolve the flour in cold water and pour it in a thin stream, by stirring it, into the dish on the stove. Add the garlic and cook for another 15 minutes.
Try the beans and if they are well cooked and only then add salt and if desired, cayenne pepper.
Shape the meatballs from the well-seasoned minced meat, by adding a piece of cheese in the middle of each one. Close them well, so that it does not come out during cooking.
Fry them in the heated oil and remove the meatballs and place them onto absorbent kitchen paper.
You can pour the cooked beans into a clay pot, add the meatballs to it and bake for a short time in the oven to thicken the dish further.
The other option is to serve the stuffed meatballs with beans like this, by placing 2-3 meatballs in each serving and leaving them for a few minutes before serving, so that the meatballs release their flavor in the bean stew.
Enjoy your meal!
