Romanian Green Pea Soup (Mancare de Mazare)
This Romanian green pea stew or mancare de mazare is a comforting and healthy stew reminiscent of childhood for many Romanians.
Servings 4
Calories 318kcal
Ingredients
- 450 grams green peas ideally frozen or fresh
- 400 grams tomato puree or equivalent of a small standard sized can (about 14 oz)
- 2 tablespoon sunflower oil
- 1 yellow onion finely diced
- 4 stalks celery thinly sliced
- 2 carrots large carrots, cut into medallions
- 6 potatoes small potatoes cut into small cubes
- 1 cup fresh dill roughly chopped
- 3 dried bay leaves
- 2 teaspoons cimbru or substitute thyme
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt or more to taste
- 0.5 teaspoon white pepper or substitute black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 200 C / 400 F if using the oven method or skip this step if using the stovetop only.
- Heat the oil over medium heat.
- Add onions and cook until browned.
- Add the diced carrots and celery and sauté another 3 minutes.
- Add the potatoes and 400ml (1.5 cups) water.
- Cover with lid and cook on high heat for 8 minutes or until potatoes are fork tender.
- Add the crushed tomatoes and all the seasoning except the fresh dill. Stir to mix everything in then cover and cook on stovetop or in oven for 30-35 minutes or until the vegetables are soft and the tomato sauce has thickened.
- Take out of oven or off stovetop and add the chopped dill, reserving some for garnish if you like.
- Taste the stew and adjust the salt to your liking. I ended up adding an additional teaspoon of salt.
- Serve hot with crusty bread.