Teleća Čorba Posna — Fasting Vegetable Soup

This thick, hearty vegetable soup is the backbone of Serbian fasting meals. Loaded with root
vegetables, potatoes, and white beans, seasoned with paprika and finished with a generous handful
of parsley, it is the kind of soup that fills you up and keeps you warm. No shortcuts, no frills.

FASTING LEVEL: Fast With Oil (for strict oil-free days, skip the roux and saute — simmer all vegetables directly in water)

SERVINGS: 6
TIME: 55 minutes

INGREDIENTS:
- 2 medium potatoes, cubed
- 2 carrots, diced
- 1 parsnip, diced
- 1 celery root (about 150 g), peeled and diced
- 1 large onion, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 can (400 g) white beans, drained and rinsed
- 3 tablespoons sunflower oil
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 2 teaspoons sweet paprika
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 litres water or vegetable broth
- 2 dried bay leaves
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar or lemon juice
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Large bunch of fresh parsley, finely chopped

METHOD:
1. Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and cook for 5 minutes until softened.
2. Add flour and stir for 2 minutes to make a light roux.
3. Add both paprikas and stir for 30 seconds — the paprika will bloom in the oil and become fragrant.
4. Add carrots, parsnip, celery root, and bell pepper. Stir to coat in the roux and cook 3 minutes.
5. Pour in water or broth. Add potatoes and bay leaves. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 25 minutes.
6. Add white beans and garlic. Simmer 10 more minutes until all vegetables are tender.
7. Add vinegar or lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Remove bay leaves.
8. Serve in deep bowls with a heavy-handed amount of fresh parsley.

NOTES:
- The paprika roux is what gives this soup its distinctive Serbian character — do not skip it.
- White beans add protein and body. For a thicker soup, mash a few beans against the side of the pot.
- Celery root (celeriac) is traditional and adds a depth that celery stalks cannot match.
- This soup is even better reheated. The flavors continue to develop overnight.

NUTRITION (per serving, approximate):
Calories: 225 | Protein: 9 g | Carbohydrates: 34 g | Fat: 7 g | Fibre: 8 g