When it comes to heartwarming, nourishing soups, Poland offers an array of delightful recipes that capture the essence of comfort food. Among these, the String Bean Soup stands out as a beloved dish, perfect for both fresh and frozen green beans. This recipe, cherished for its simplicity and rich flavours, is a favourite for any season.
Ingredients for the Broth
- 1 chicken leg (approximately 170g/ 5,99 oz)
- A piece of leek
- A piece of celery root (about 100g/ 3,52 oz)
- 1 small parsley root
- 2 small carrots
- 1200 ml/ 40.57 fl oz of cold water
- Spices: 1 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 teaspoon of peppercorns, 2 allspice berries, 1 bay leaf
Additional Ingredients
- 450g/ 15,87 oz of green or yellow string beans
- 400g/ 14,10 oz of potatoes
- 1 tablespoon of clarified butter (about 12g/ 0,42 oz)
- 2 tablespoons of 18% sour cream
- Chopped dill
Preparation Steps
1. Prepare the Broth
In a large pot, combine the chicken leg, peeled carrots, a piece of the lighter part of the leek, parsley root, and a small piece of celery root. Rinse these ingredients and drain the water. Add a bay leaf, allspice berries, peppercorns, and salt. Pour in about 1200 ml of cold water, cover the pot, and bring it to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat and let it simmer gently for 60 minutes.
2. Strain the Broth
After an hour, remove the pot from the heat and skim off any foam that has formed. Strain out the vegetables, meat, and spices, leaving only the clear broth. Set aside the cooked carrots and chicken meat for later.
3. Prepare the Vegetables
Peel and dice about 400 grams of potatoes into small cubes. Add the diced potatoes to the pot with the hot broth. Return the pot to the heat and cook the potatoes for about 10 minutes.
4. Add the String Beans
Wash and trim both ends of the string beans, then cut them into small pieces. Add the prepared beans to the pot along with a tablespoon of clarified butter. Cover the pot and bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat and cook for another 10 minutes.
5. Combine Ingredient
Once the beans are tender, add the reserved carrots and chicken meat back into the pot along with a generous handful of chopped dill. Allow the soup to come to a gentle boil.
6. Cream the Soup
In a small bowl, mix 2 tablespoons of 18% sour cream with a few ladles of hot broth to temper it. Gradually stir this mixture back into the soup pot. Let the soup simmer for an additional 2 minutes. Taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt or pepper if needed.
Serve this delightful String Bean Soup hot, garnished with a touch of extra dill if desired. This recipe not only brings together the wholesome flavours of fresh vegetables and tender chicken but also highlights the versatility of green and yellow string beans, making it a cherished addition to any family meal. Enjoy the comforting warmth of this Polish classic!