Best 4 Croatian Army Beans Recipes

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Croatian army beans, also known as grah, is a hearty and flavorful stew made with dried beans, vegetables, and spices. This traditional Croatian dish is a staple in many Croatian homes and is often served as a main course or side dish. Croatian army beans are typically made with cannellini beans, but other types of beans can also be used. The beans are simmered in a flavorful broth with vegetables such as carrots, celery, and onions, and spices such as paprika, garlic, and bay leaf. Croatian army beans are a delicious and comforting meal that is perfect for a cold winter day.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

CROATIAN BEAN SOUP (GRAH I VARIVAH)



Croatian Bean Soup (Grah i Varivah) image

Croatian bean soup, known as grah i varivah, is more like a hearty stew because it's so thick and full of smoked meats and sausage.

Provided by Barbara Rolek

Categories     Dinner     Entree     Lunch     Soup

Time 11h5m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 pound dried beans (rinsed, picked over, and soaked overnight)
12 to 15 cups cold water
3 cloves garlic (peeled and minced)
1 large onion ( chopped )
1 pound smoked sausage (Croatian, like kranjska, kobasice, or smoked Polish sausage like kiełbasa krajana , cut into 1/4 to 1/2 inch pieces)
1 pound smoked ribs or meaty smoked ham hocks
1 large bay leaf
Salt, pepper, and Vegeta to taste

Steps:

  • Gather the ingredients.
  • Drain the soaked beans, rinse them, and drain again.
  • Place in a large pot and add 12 cups fresh cold water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer, and skim off any foam that rises to the surface.
  • Add garlic, onion, smoked sausage of choice, smoked ribs or meaty smoked ham hocks, bay leaf, salt, pepper and Vegeta seasoning powder to taste.
  • Return to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer, partially covered, for 2 to 3 hours or until beans and meat are tender. Add water as needed, while cooking, stirring occasionally.
  • Remove bay leaf and discard. Remove bones from rib meat or hocks and return meat to the pot. If soup isn't thick enough, continue to simmer until desired consistency is achieved.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 307 kcal, Carbohydrate 19 g, Cholesterol 47 mg, Fiber 3 g, Protein 20 g, SaturatedFat 6 g, Sodium 1312 mg, Sugar 6 g, Fat 18 g, ServingSize 8 servings, UnsaturatedFat 0 g

CROATIAN ARMY BEANS



CROATIAN ARMY BEANS image

Categories     Bean     Lunch

Yield 6 portions

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 kg beans (preferable Croatian "tresnjevec" beans, but you can use any kind - avoid canned)
1 large onion (finely minced)
pig-fat
1 slice of bacon (Croatian "pancetta") finely minced plus pancetta skin for taste
2 garlic cloves (finely minced)
2 teaspoons paprika (dried grounded)
flour
Chili (to taste)
1 bay leaf
salt, pepper, water

Steps:

  • Soak beans overnight in water. Wash the beans and put it in fresh cold water unit it boils. Cook it for 10 minutes, change the water, and cook for more 30 minutes. Remove beans and put it in cold water. Melt the pig-fat in the pot and add the onion. Sauté the onion until it is soft. Add minced pancetta and sauté it for 5 more minutes, than add garlic. Sauté it for 1-2 minutes and add flour. Sauté it until the flour is slightly brown and than add paprika and chili. Add water gently and make a cream of all ingredients. Than add beans and bay leaf and water to cover the beans. Cook for 1 hour on very gently fire. (in Croatia we have special sausages "cesnjovke" which we put in this beans and cook all together, but you can put any kind of smoked, dried meat - pork or beef). Very important to know is that you do not add chili or any kind of hot paprika afterwards. Hot paprika must be cooked from he very beginning or you will suffer from very bad digestive process. We in Croatia always drink alcohol if we eat something hot, otherwise, you'll have very bad digestive process. This meal is very good during cold winter, it renews your strength.

SOUTH CROATIAN SAUTéED FRENCH BEANS



South Croatian Sautéed French Beans image

This is usual way of making French Beans along coastal area in Croatia. It is very easy to make and quite tasty to eat. Serve with various meats and potatoes as side dish.

Provided by nitko

Categories     Vegetable

Time 50m

Yield 4 portions, 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 9

500 g French beans
40 g butter
100 g onions (or one small onion)
150 g tomatoes (strained tomato juice)
1 garlic clove
200 ml stock (beef)
2 g pepper
5 g salt
3 g fresh parsley leaves

Steps:

  • Clean the French beans and cut into two or three parts (3-5 cm).
  • Sauté finely minced onion on butter until translucent.
  • In the meantime put French beans into hot water and cook 5-8 minutes, than remove from water and drain.
  • Add French beans into sautéed onion; add tomato juice, very finely minced garlic and parsley. Season it with salt and pepper. Stir and add some beef stock to cover French beans.
  • Cook until French beans are soft, or 20-30 minutes adding beef stock if necessary.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 518.7, Fat 10.7, SaturatedFat 5.4, Cholesterol 21.4, Sodium 567.4, Carbohydrate 84.4, Fiber 32.3, Sugar 2.1, Protein 24.2

CROATIAN ARMY BEANS



Croatian Army Beans image

This is excellent meal for winter time. It is important to use natural beans, not canned, because canned have certain taste which can spoil the meal. Soak the beans overnight in water, change the water, cook until boils (plus 5 min), than change water again and cook until is almost done. Than put it in cold water and start with ingredients.

Provided by nitko

Categories     Beans

Time 2h30m

Yield 5 , 5 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 kg beans (preferable Croatian "tresnjevec" beans, but you can use any kind avoid canned)
1 large onion (finely minced)
2 tablespoons lard (preferably, but oil can do)
100 g bacon (Croatian "pancetta",finely minced plus pancetta skin for taste)
2 garlic cloves (finely minced)
2 teaspoons paprika (red, dried, grounded)
10 g flour
1/2 teaspoon chili pepper (to taste)
1 bay leaf
15 g salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
water

Steps:

  • Soak beans overnight in water. Wash the beans and put it in fresh cold water unit it boils. Cook it for 10 minutes, change the water, and cook for more 20-30 minutes. Remove beans and put it in cold water.
  • Melt the lard in the pot and add the sliced onion. Sauté the onion until it is soft. Add minced pancetta and sauté it for 5 more minutes, than add garlic. Sauté it for 1-2 minutes and add flour. Sauté it until the flour is slightly brown and than add paprika and chilli.
  • Add water gently and make a cream of all ingredients. Than add beans and bay leaf and water to cover the beans. Cook for 1 hour on very gently fire. (in Croatia we have special sausages "cesnjovke" which we put in this beans and cook all together, but you can put any kind of smoked, dried meat - pork or beef).
  • Very important to know is that you do not add chilli or any kind of hot paprika afterwards. Hot paprika must be cooked from the very beginning or you will suffer from very bad digestive process. We in Croatia always drink alcohol if we eat something hot, otherwise, you'll also have very bad digestive process. This meal is very good during cold winter, it renews your strength.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 162.5, Fat 14.3, SaturatedFat 5, Cholesterol 18.5, Sodium 1330.9, Carbohydrate 5.7, Fiber 0.9, Sugar 1.4, Protein 3

Tips:

  • Soak the beans overnight in cold water. This will help to reduce the cooking time and make the beans more digestible.
  • Use a slow cooker or a Dutch oven to cook the beans. This will help to ensure that the beans are cooked evenly and that they retain their nutrients.
  • Add flavor to the beans by using a variety of spices and herbs. Some popular choices include garlic, onion, paprika, cumin, and chili powder.
  • Serve the beans with a variety of sides, such as rice, potatoes, or bread. You can also add a dollop of sour cream or yogurt for a creamy texture.

Conclusion:

Croatian Army Beans is a hearty and flavorful dish that is perfect for a cold winter day. The beans are cooked in a flavorful broth with a variety of spices and herbs, and they are served with a variety of sides. This dish is sure to warm you up and fill you up.

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