Mashed Beans

This is a very tasty classic Romanian starter, popular especially in the Northern part of the country. I like it with lots of onion sauteed in tomato sauce and accompanied by sauerkraut on the side.

I have to mention that for this dish the perfect bean type is the Navy beans - smaller white beans - they are quick-cooking, they're tasty and hearty. I didn't have Navy beans, so I used a different type this time, but I recommend these small ones.

Ingredients
Dried white beans
300 g
or canned beans, already boiled
White onion
5 pieces
the quantity depends on your likes - you can use more or fewer onions
Garlic cloves
4 pieces
or a tsp granulated garlic
Laurel leaves
2 pieces
Sunflower oil
100 ml
Salt
1 tbsp
to taste
Pepper
0.25 tsp
optional
Tomato paste
2 tbsp
Step by step
Step 1

Boil the beans in plenty of water, together with 2 bay leaves, 1 whole onion and 2-3 tbsp oil. Cook over low heat, with no salt and, if it needs more, add only hot boiling water. Otherwise, the beans will harden and won't be so tasty.

When beans are soft, remove the onion, the bay leaves, drain the broth (but don't discard it).

I used brown speckled beans, that was what I had in the kitchen and they were very good.

Mashed Beans - Step 1
Step 2

Add to the drained beans the crushed garlic, salt and pepper to taste.

Mashed Beans - Step 2
Step 3

Puree the beans using a blender or a potato masher. Taste it and add more salt if it needs. For a creamier puree (so if it's too dry), you can pour in some of the broth, little by little, mix until you have the desired consistency.

Mashed Beans - Step 3
Step 4

Transfer the bean puree to plates and even out with a spoon, I recommend a 1.5 - 2 cm layer, not thicker.

Mashed Beans - Step 4
Step 5

Cut the onion into half rings and cook in plenty of oil until golden.

Mashed Beans - Step 5
Step 6

When the onion starts to turn to golden, stir in 1-2 tbsp tomato paste, paprika paste or the favourite vegetable paste (I use vegetable paste made by myself for the winter, I'll give you the recipe next year, I promise). Mix well, cook for 1 more minute and turn off the heat.

Mashed Beans - Step 6
Step 7

Spread the onion and tomato paste mixture in an even layer over the bean puree. It can be served right away or it can be refrigerated and eaten cold, after all the flavours have blended in together.

Enjoy!

Mashed Beans - Step 7
Quantity: 1 kg (5 servings)
Prep time:
20 min
Difficulty: easy
Ready in: 120 min