Traditional Romanian food - mashed beans with onion and garlic - vegan, gluten free

I hope you're not hungry while reading this :)

I'm a big fan of this simple, basic dish, specific to the Romanian cuisine. But I rarely make the effort to cook it myself, since it's so available at the supermarket. However, that one is far less tasty than the homemade version, obviously.

Yesterday I found some beans in a small grocery shop and asked the lady if it's good. Of course she said yes :)

I bought half a kilo, put it in water and left it to soak overnight.

The end result is yummylicious :

Ingredients

500 gr white beans (I guess you can use any beans)

5-6 big onions, white and red ~ peeled, finely sliced

tomatoe juice about 200 ml or paste - a few tablespoons

2 carrots - peeled, roughly chopped

2 small onions - peeled

5-6 garlic cloves, peeled and mashed

oilve oil ~ 3-4 tablespoons or more to taste

salt, pepper

a few bay leaves

How to

Heat 2-4 liters of water so you can use for boiling the beans.

In a large pot filled with cold water and a bit of of baking soda bring the beans to boil. When they start boiling throw away the water and put them back on the fire with new, hot water. Bring to boil again for a few minutes and repeat the process. You can do this 3-4 time to make sure the beans will be friendly with your stomach and minimise the unwanted effects. ;)

In the last round of water add 2 small onions, 2 carrots, the bay leaves and mix gently. Let it boil until the beans are soft.

Here's how it looked like:

In the meantime prepare the onion topping.

Heat the olive oil in a large, preferably non-stick skillet, add the onions. Mix gently for a couple of minutes until the onions are nicely done, but not burnt.

Add the tomatoes juice or paste, some salt, pepper and some herbs if you want. I added some dry thyme.

Turn of the heat and let sit until you take care of the beans.

Once they are soft, drain the water (save a bit in case you need it) and start blending until creamy soft. Add salt, pepper, the garlic cloves and half of the onion sauce. Blend and mix well. Taste and check for salt, add more if you need to.

Arrange the beans nicely in a tray and cover with the rest of the onion sauce.

Serve with bread or rice galettes if you're on a gluten free diet anytime you want. If you have some pickles they go along very well.

Bon appetit!

Namaste

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Hi, I'm Raluca. Freelance copywriter, currently going through a Yoga Teacher Training. I have an educational background in communication and psychology. You can find me mainly on my blog at BeingRaluca where I write about communication, relationships, listening, sexuality and many more. Here on Steemit you can follow me @raluca.