Experience the Rich Flavors of Albania with this Vegan Fasule Me Mish Pule Recipe

One traditional Albanian dish that can easily be made vegan is fasule me mish pule, which is a white bean and rice stew. It is typically made with white beans, rice, onions, and spices such as bay leaves, cumin, and paprika. To make it vegan, you can simply omit any ingredients that contain animal products, such as butter or lard, and use a vegetable broth or water in place of chicken or beef broth. Some variations of this dish may also include vegetables such as carrots, bell peppers, and tomatoes. It can be served with a side of crusty bread for dipping.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup white beans, soaked overnight and drained
• 1 cup white rice
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: 1 cup diced vegetables such as carrots, bell peppers, or tomatoes

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, sauté the onion and garlic over medium heat until the onion is translucent.
2. Add the tomato paste, paprika, and cumin to the pot and stir to combine.
3. Add the drained beans, rice, vegetable broth, and bay leaf to the pot and bring the mixture to a boil.
4. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the beans and rice are tender.
5. If using vegetables, add them to the pot during the last 10 minutes of cooking.
6. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve hot. Enjoy!

Note: If you don't have tomato paste, you can use diced tomatoes or tomato sauce instead. You can also add additional spices or herbs to your liking.