Beans in the Kettle

Time for the kettle! As soon as the good weather arrives, we eagerly start planning our company or family gatherings. These get-togethers are the highlight of our year, where everyone in the family finds some "fun" for themselves. The boys gather around the fire by the kettle, tending to the flames with serious dedication. The women chop the salad, sharing laughter and stories, while somewhere in the corner, teenagers talk about school and new loves. Meanwhile, the children lose themselves in games of football, basketball, or whatever captures their imagination.

We often organize these joyful events in our yard, where 15-20 friends from different places gather. One dish that never fails to please is beans in the kettle! We all adore it, and it has the added benefit of being much less labor-intensive compared to grilling. The magic of this dish lies in its simplicity and the wonderful spices we use, like paprika, bay leaf, and white pepper. It’s a hearty mix of pork knuckle, ribs, sausage, and salted meats that bring such depth of flavor.

Ingredients:

- 800g beans (colorful, yellow, etc.)

- 1 large onion

- 6 cloves of garlic

- 1 potato

- 1 fresh pepper

- 1 tomato

- 1 carrot

- 100g celery

- Celery leaves

- A little bit of oil

Seasonings:

- 1 soup cube

- 2 tablespoons of dry vegetable seasoning

Sprinkle:

- 2-3 spoons of flour

- 2 spoons of ground red pepper

- 1 glass of water

- A little pepper

Instructions:

1. Drain the beans and discard the first water. Put the washed and drained beans in the kettle.

2. Finely chop the onion and garlic. Grate the potato, fresh pepper, tomato, carrot, and celery. Add the peppers and tomatoes cut in half. Mix with beans, add a little oil, and simmer on the prepared fire for about 5 minutes.

3. Add about 5 liters of water and cook until the beans are soft. While cooking, add spices and chopped leaves.

4. Mix the flour, ground red pepper, and a little water, then pour into the cooked beans, stirring slowly to avoid lumps. Let it simmer slowly over an almost extinguished fire.

5. During this time, set the table, make the salad, and cut the bread. Then, remove the kettle from the rack and serve yourself.

I wish you a pleasant lunch, you and everyone who joins you...and of course, enjoy nature along the way!