Fassoulatha

Fassoulatha/Fassolada is a simple Greek Soup with white beans and vegetables .It is also known as "national food of Greeks".The basic ingredients are onion,carrots and celery and white beans.A version with black eyed beans is known as "Fassoulatha Mavromatika".I obtained a simple Fassoulatha recipe from here. It is a comforting soup and I made it with no changes at all.

Ingredients:
White Beans: 1/2 cup pre-soaked and cooked in pressure cooker.
Onion: 1 big
Carrot: 1 large
Celery Stalk: 1 big along with the leaves if any
Tomato: 1 medium,peeled and mashed OR 1/2 tbsp tomato paste

Spices as per taste
Chilli Powder/Cayenne Pepper
Oregano
Pepper

Salt

Preparation:
Finely chop the onion,carrot and celery.If using tomatoes,dip it in boiling water for a minute and then in a bowl of ice water and then peel off the skin and mash/paste it.Cook the pre-soaked beans in a pressure cooker or in a Dutch oven for 1.5 hours.I used a cooker.

Heat oil in a soup pot,Add the chopped onions,carrot and celery and saute for a few minutes.Add water,the cooked beans along with the cooked water if any,tomato paste,salt and the spices.Simmer till the vegetables are tender for about 15-20 minutes.Check for taste and adjust the spices and salt.

Serve with bread or anyother accompaniments.

I served it as such and it was a wholesome meal.I love trying out various soups and the ones with beans are always filling and comforting.The above estimate yields about 2-3 big bowls.

A warm bowl of fassoulatha is on its ways to Suganya of TastyPalettes where she is celebrating the Legume Love Affair -VI edition,an even started by Susan.

Another bowl warms Trupti's Winter Treat event along with my Cheesy Vegetable soup.