Recipe Type: Vegetarian
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 90- 120 minutes
Difficulty Level: Easy
Serves: 4-6 people
As the nights get longer, and you see the temperature plummet into single digits, it’s only natural that your soul craves something warm to get you through the winter days.
You may have been scrolling through your phone unimpressed by yet another trending recipe that’s popped up on your feed, when in fact what you were really looking for was some inspiration for some hearty comfort food to make for your dinner.
Well, you’re in luck, no need to look any further as I have the perfect winter warmer recipe for you. There is nothing that will hug you from inside quite like a warm bowl of Fasolada!
Fasolada dates to ancient Greek times, where it was a go-to meal made with simple, long-lasting ingredients, perfect for sea voyages or storage in rural households. Over the years it evolved, with different regions of Greece adding their own unique twists to the recipe.
Ingredients
500 grams of dry white beans
3 Carrots
1 Celery
1 Large Onion
5 Cloves garlic
1 Tablespoon tomato paste
2-3 Tablespoons olive oil
3 bay leaves
2 sprigs rosemary
1 Vegetable cube
Pinch of paprika
Salt and pepper to taste
2 Litres water
To Serve
Salt
Pepper
Feta cheese
Bread
Instructions
1. To make the Fasolada, start by adding the beans to a bowl with a teaspoon of salt and cover the beans with water. The beans will need to be soaked overnight. This will help to reduce the cooking time. The following day, rinse the beans with cold water and drain. You will need to rinse and drain the beans again with cold, before setting them aside.
2. Thinly dice the garlic and chop the onions, carrots and celery.
3. Set a large pot over medium heat and add olive oil, followed by vegetables ensuring that the pot doesn’t overheat.
4. Sauté the vegetables and stir from time to time. When the vegetables soften and the liquids evaporate, add the tomato paste and sauté for a further minute.
5. Add the beans, rosemary sprigs, bay leaves, vegetable stock, and paprika, to the pot and cover with water. Stir everything well and cover the pot.
6. Let the soup simmer for 1.5 hours to 2 hours, occasionally checking if more water needs to be added to the soup. If more water is needed, ensure that it is boiling.
7. Roughly 10 minutes before the soup is ready, add olive oil, salt and pepper to the soup. Cover the pot and boil. The soup is ready when the beans have softened, and the soup has thickened. Remove the bay leaves before serving.
8. Serve the Fasolada while it is still hot, serve alongside some feta cheese and crusty bread.
All that is left now is to enjoy!
Why try fasolada and what are the health benefits?
If you’re craving something filling, wholesome, and tasty, fasolada is the perfect choice. This Greek bean soup is a bowl of pure comfort that’s packed with health benefits.
It’s completely vegan-friendly, making it ideal for anyone embracing plant-based eating, and one of the staples eaten in Greek Orthodox fasting periods. This is a period in which people abstain from meat, dairy, eggs and fish and focus on simple, plant-based diets that are both nourishing and satisfying. As you’ll soon find out, this isn’t just fasting food, it’s a dish you’ll want to make regularly.
Fasolada combines white beans, olive oil, and fresh vegetables- like onions, carrots, and celery, making it not only satisfying but also very healthy. The beans are loaded with protein and fibre, keeping you full and energised for longer, while the good fats from the olive oil boost the function of a healthy heart.
This beloved soup is also low in cholesterol and is packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to support your overall wellness.
Beyond its health benefits, fasolada is a comfort food. Its warm and delicious flavours make it perfect for a cold or rainy day!
Tips and tricks
Use Quality Ingredients: For the best Fasolada, the secret lies in using good quality ingredients.
High-quality ingredients such as beans, extra virgin olive oil, bay leaves, rosemary, paprika and feta can be found right here at Hellenic Grocery, your trusted one-stop shop for all of your authentic Greek products!
These ingredients make all the difference in achieving the perfect Greek bean soup.
Soak the Beans: For the best texture and quicker cooking time, soak the beans overnight. This will help them cook evenly and become tender. Don't skip a step as it is important to achieve the right consistency.
Let It Simmer Slowly: Fasolada benefits from slow cooking, which allows the flavours to develop fully. Take your time and let it simmer on low heat for at least an hour and a half or more, if possible.
Cook it in advance: Like many soups, fasolada tastes even better the next day as the flavours fuse and deepen. If you have time, make it in advance and keep it in the fridge overnight.
Pair the soup: You may not believe that this bowl of deliciousness can be enhanced, but I’ll let you in with a secret. When the soup is eaten with some crusty bread and a bit of creamy feta, this soup will taste even better.
Mix it up: This traditional soup is super adaptable and versatile; it can be enhanced with herbs like oregano, and chilli flakes- for a kick of heat or a squeeze of lemon for some added zest.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to soups, fasolada might just take the crown! With its simple ingredients of soft white beans, fresh vegetables, and olive oil, it manages to create something truly special.There’s a kind of magic in how these everyday ingredients come together, resulting in flavours that are rich, hearty, and incredibly comforting. For many Greeks, fasolada isn’t just food, it’s memories. This childhood favourite brings back memories of family meals and warm kitchens.
As a dish that tastes even better the next day, leftovers can be something to look forward to. Even self-proclaimed meat lovers find it hard to resist this dish. It’s proof that a meal doesn’t need meat to be satisfying, filling, or delicious!
But fasolada is more than just soup it’s a perfect example of simplicity done right! Whether it’s part of a Greek Orthodox fasting tradition, a family dinner centrepiece, or a cosy bowl on a cold winter’s day, it has a way of bringing people together.
So, what are you waiting for? Hurry over to Hellenic Grocery to grab your ingredients and try out this dish.
One taste, and you’ll see just why fasolada has been a favourite for many generations, and why it’s more than earned its place as a timeless classic!
You can choose from a range of beans here: https://hellenicgrocery.co.uk/search?type=product&q=BEANS
Don't forget that good quality extra virgin olive oil is not only essential to this recipe, but also for good health. You can find great quality olive oil here: https://hellenicgrocery.co.uk/products/extra-virgin-olive-oil-5t?_pos=1&_sid=d3860f62e&_ss=r and here: https://hellenicgrocery.co.uk/products/extra-virgin-olive-oil-1t?_pos=2&_sid=a0d54d9cf&_ss=r
