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    Sancocho de Habichuelas or Sopión (Sweet & Spicy Bean Stew)

    Sancocho o sopión de habichuelas (sweet and spicy bean stew) recipe.

    En Español Recipe ↆ

    Sancocho de Habichuelas (Sweet and Spicy Bean Stew) is also known as Sopión, this is a delightful, hearty soup that combines spicy and sweet flavors.

    Bowl of sancocho de habichuelas or sopión or zambumbio  (sweet & spicy bean stew) served with rice and avocado slices.
    Sancocho de habichuelas.

    JUMP TO: show ↓
    1. Why we ❤️ it
    2. Combining sweet and spicy
    3. About our recipe
    4. Recipe

    Why we ❤️ it

    Food is not just nourishment. There's also an emotional relationship between people and food. And the food we grew up with, no matter how unusual to the rest of the world, always comforts us and brings us memories of happy times long gone.

    That is exactly the case with this Sancocho de Habichuelas (Sweet & Spicy Bean Stew). I grew up with this dish.

    Sancocho de habichuelas, also known as sopión de habichuelas, or zambumbio, is a delightful, hearty soup that combines spicy and sweet flavors.  For the record the stew itself is not sweet, it's the ripe plantains and sweet potatoes that will give it its sweet touch to contrast with the lightly spicy stew.

    Bowl of sancocho de habichuelas or sopión or zambumbio (sweet & spicy bean stew) served with rice and avocado slices.
    Bowl of sancocho de habichuelas or sopión or zambumbio (sweet & spicy bean stew) served with rice and avocado slices.

    Sancocho de habichuelas.

    Combining sweet and spicy

    With its combination of sweet, savory, and spicy flavors it is an intriguing dish. But combining sweet and savory in our meals is not unheard of for Dominicans. In fact, it is very common.

    From serving our meals with fritos maduros and plátanos al caldero, to adding raisins and fruits to many of our dishes, it seems like our sweet tooth has taken serious possession of our culinary culture. And while there may be a few Dominicans who do not share their fellow countrymen's enthusiasm for sweet and savory meals, the vast majority seem to regard it as normal.

    About our recipe

    As we have mentioned before, most Dominicans learn how to cook from their relatives. In my case I absorbed a bit from fairly much all of my closest female relatives. This stew was passed on to me by my aunt Flora, at whose house I spent many a day of my childhood, playing with her children, my older cousins.

    I invite you to give it a try. You might be surprised.

    Buen provecho!

    Tia Clara

    Recipe

    This awesome free recipe contains Amazon affiliate links, we receive a small commission from any purchase you make at no extra cost to you. Thanks!

    Bowl of Sancocho de Habichuelas or Sopión or Zambumbio (Sweet & Spicy Bean Stew) Served with Rice and Avocado Slices
    Keep screen on while cooking

    Sancocho de Habichuelas Recipe (Sweet and Spicy Bean Stew)

    By: Clara Gonzalez
    Sancocho de Habichuelas Recipe (Sweet and Spicy Bean Stew): also known as Sopión, this is a delightful, hearty soup that combines spicy and sweet flavors.
    5 from 1 vote
    Save for Later Send by Email Print Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 20 mins
    Total Time 35 mins
    Course Dinner, Lunch, Soup
    Cuisine Dominican
    Servings 6 servings
    Calories 647 kcal

    Ingredients

    • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
    • 1 pound smoked pork chops with bones, , cut into small pieces
    • 1 pound longaniza, (spicy pork sausage), cut into slices
    • ½ teaspoon mashed garlic
    • 1 bell pepper, , chopped
    • 4 cups boiled red kidney beans
    • 1 cup tomato sauce
    • 1 quart water
    • 1 oregano , (dry, ground)
    • 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
    • ½ pound sweet potatoes, , peeled and chopped
    • 1 tablespoon sugar , (white, granulated)
    • 2 plantain , (ripe, yellow), peeled and sliced
    • 1½ teaspoon salt, (or more, to taste)
    • ½ teaspoon pepper , (or more, to taste) (freshly-cracked, or ground)

    Instructions
     

    • Browning the meats
      Brown meat: In a soup pot heat the oil over medium heat. Add the pork chops and sausage and cook stirring til they brown (5 to 7 minutes).
    • Vegetables added to the meat
      Add vegetables: Add garlic and bell pepper. Cook and stir for half a minute.
      Pour in the beans, tomato sauce, and water. Simmer covered for five minutes Add oregano, cilantro, sweet potatoes, sugar, and plantains.
    • Water added to the pot
      Boil: Simmer over medium heat until all the ingredients are cooked throughout and the stew reaches a creamy consistency. Adjust water if it becomes necessary.
      Season with salt and pepper to taste.
    • Sancocho de Habichuelas or Sopión or Zambumbio (Sweet & Spicy Bean Stew) Served with Rice and Avocado
      Serve: Remove from the heat and serve alongside white rice and avocado slices

    Tips and Notes

    If you bought pork chops with bones, don't throw them away! Add them to the stew and remove when serving, they will add extra flavor to it.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 647kcalCarbohydrates: 59gProtein: 40gFat: 29gSaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 105mgSodium: 1339mgPotassium: 1547mgFiber: 12gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 6890IUVitamin C: 42mgCalcium: 64mgIron: 5.8mg

    Nutritional information is calculated automatically based on ingredients listed. Please consult your doctor if you need precise nutrition information.

    READERS SEARCHED FOR sopa de habichuelas, sopion, vegetable soup, zambumbio, zambumbo
    More recipes with: batata, beans, longaniza, meat, plantain, pork, ripe plantain

    Published Dec 21, 2002, revised Nov 30, 2022

    More Dominican Main Dishes for Every Occasion

    • Moro-Locrio (Rice with Black Beans and Pork)
    • Liver and Onions Recipe (Higado Encebollado)
    • Pastelón en Hoja al Horno (Easy Pasteles Casserole)
    • Pasteles de Yuca en Hoja (Cassava Pockets)
    Edited: Nov 30, 2022 | Publish: Dec 21, 2002

    ¡Hola! I am Tía Clara, your host. Thanks for visiting.
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