MEMORIES OF MACEDONIA ~ Tavche Gravche

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: sunflower oil

Avocado oil offers healthy fats while sunflower oil is more budget-friendly.

white beans

🥗Healthier: canned beans

💰Cheaper: dried beans

Canned beans save time, while dried beans are often less expensive.

smoked paprika

🥗Healthier: regular paprika

💰Cheaper: cayenne pepper

Regular paprika maintains flavor without the smokiness, and cayenne is often cheaper.

bay leaves

💰Cheaper: dried thyme

Dried thyme can mimic the herbal notes of bay leaves.

Wash and pick through the dried white kidney beans, removing any bad ones.

Add the beans to a Dutch oven and cover with enough water to submerge them completely.

Add smoked paprika and crushed red chili peppers to the beans.

Pour in extra virgin olive oil to coat the beans.

Dice the extra lean kielbasa into bite-sized pieces and add it to the beans as they start cooking.

Cover and cook the beans until tender, adding more water if necessary during cooking.

At the end of cooking, lay banana peppers on top of the beans until they are blackened.

Garnish with parsley or fresh mint before serving.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary