The Eastern Cross/Fasting recipes/Romanian Bean Ciorbă

Romanian · Soup

Romanian Bean Ciorbă

Ciorbă de fasole de post

Sour bean soup with tarragon

Wine & oil daysPrep 15 minCook 1 h 40 minServes 6Plus overnight soaking
When to eat it. Made with oil. Keep it for days when wine and oil are allowed, like weekends in Lent and most of the Nativity Fast.

Ingredients

Method

  1. Boil the beans 10 minutes, drain, then simmer in 2.5 litres (10 cups) fresh water for 1 hour.
  2. Fry the vegetables in the oil with the tomato paste and add to the pot.
  3. Simmer 25 minutes.
  4. Sour with lemon or borș, add tarragon and lovage, and season.

Tip. Tarragon is what makes it taste Romanian.

Fasting customs differ between churches and parishes. When in doubt, follow what your priest gives you. Not sure what today allows? Check the Orthodox calendar.

More for wine & oil days

See all 227 fasting recipes →

Keep the fast with people who keep it

The Eastern Cross is an Orthodox Christian community on Discord, with a daily bulletin that tells you what today’s fast allows.

Request Entry