Tasty South African Bean & Vegetable Soup (Boontjiesop)

dried beans

🥗Healthier: canned beans

💰Cheaper: split peas

Canned beans save time, while split peas are often more affordable.

vegetable stock

🥗Healthier: homemade broth

💰Cheaper: water with seasoning

Homemade broth is healthier, while water with seasoning is budget-friendly.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: sunflower oil

Avocado oil is healthier, while sunflower oil is a cost-effective alternative.

smoked paprika

🥗Healthier: regular paprika

💰Cheaper: chipotle powder

Regular paprika is lower in calories, while chipotle powder adds a different flavor.

Prepare beans according to package instructions; they are starting to boil.

Add 1 stick of cinnamon, 4 bay leaves, 5 cloves, 3 leeks, 4 cloves of garlic, and a thumb-sized piece of ginger to the pot.

Brown 1 kilogram of lamb neck in the pot for a few minutes without burning the leeks, garlic, or ginger.

Dissolve 2 beef stock cubes in the pot and cover to boil for about 30 minutes.

Prepare vegetables: cut carrots, parsley, and celery into pieces.

Add 8 cups of carrots and the chopped celery and parsley to the pot.

Add enough water to cover the vegetables and meat, season with salt and pepper, and add sugar to taste.

Bring to a boil, then simmer for about an hour, watching to prevent boiling over.

After an hour, check the texture and blend the soup to desired consistency, leaving some beans intact if preferred.

Add the beans to the pot and stir quickly to prevent burning.

Mix 1 packet of brown onion soup with cold water and add to the pot, adjusting seasoning as necessary.

Let cook gently for about 5 minutes.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level: