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Creamy Pork and Bean Stew with Spinach – A Comforting Family Favorite | Tocană cremoasă de porc și fasole cu spanac – Un desert reconfortant preferat al familiei

Ingredients
    For the Bean Stew:
  • 300 grams of dried beans (soaked in water overnight)
  • 1 medium-sized onion (chopped)
  • 1 medium-sized carrot (chopped)
  • 2 bay leaves
  • Salt (to taste)
  • Water (enough to cover the beans)
  • For the Pork:
  • 400 grams of pork meat (cut into small cubes)
  • 1 medium-sized onion (chopped finely)
  • 4 cloves of garlic (crushed and finely chopped)
  • Sweet paprika (to taste)
  • Black pepper (to taste)
  • Salt (to taste)
  • 2 tablespoons of oil (for frying)
  • 2 tablespoons of dried tomatoes (optional, chopped)
  • For Finishing the Stew:
  • 1 teaspoon of sour cream
  • A pinch of thyme
  • A pinch of spinach (optional, for extra flavor)
Instructions
  1. Preparing the Beans
    1. Soak the beans in water overnight.
    2. In a large pot, add the soaked beans, chopped onion, carrot, bay leaves, salt, and enough water to cover everything.
    3. Bring to a boil and let the beans cook until they become tender and soft. This may take about 45 minutes to an hour, depending on the beans.
  2. Preparing the Pork
    1. While the beans are cooking, heat oil in a pan over medium heat.
    2. Add the pork cubes and cook until browned on all sides.
    3. Once cooked, transfer the pork to a bowl while it’s still hot.
    4. In the bowl, season the pork with half of the garlic, salt, black pepper, sweet paprika, and mix everything well.
  3. Cooking the Stew
    1. In the same pan, add the chopped onion and the remaining garlic.
    2. Cook the onion and garlic for 2-3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
    3. Add the dried tomatoes (optional) and the cooked pork back into the pan.
    4. Stir in the boiled beans along with the water to cover the ingredients.
    5. Season the stew with salt, sweet paprika, black pepper, and a pinch of thyme.
    6. Let everything simmer for another 15-20 minutes to combine the flavors.
  4. Finishing the Stew
    1. Stir in a tablespoon of sour cream to make the stew creamy.
    2. Optionally, add a pinch of spinach for extra flavor and nutrition.
    3. Adjust the seasoning to your taste.
  5. Serve and Enjoy
    1. Serve the creamy pork and bean stew with fresh bread on the side.
    2. Enjoy this hearty, comforting dish with your family!