Sopa da Pedra

Name: Sopa da Pedra
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 85 min
Total time: 105 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Portuguese
Ingredients: 300g dried kidney beans, soaked overnight; 200g beef shank, cubed; 2 potatoes, diced; 2 carrots, diced; 1 small cabbage, shredded; 1 onion, diced; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 2 bay leaves; 3 tbsp olive oil; Fresh coriander; Salt and pepper; 1 clean stone (for tradition)

Sopa da Pedra (SOH-pah dah PEH-drah)

Stone Soup

⏱ Prep Time 1 hour 30 min

📈 Difficulty Easy

👥 Servings

🔥 Calories 272 kcal

A hearty bean and vegetable soup from Almeirim, thick with kidney beans, potatoes, carrots, cabbage, and chunks of beef, inspired by the famous folktale of a monk who made soup from a stone.

Nutrition & Info

Protein 18.0g

Carbs 32.0g

Fat 8.0g

Protein Carbs Fat

Dietary

dairy-free gluten-free nut-free

Equipment Needed

large pot ladle

Presentation Guide

Vessel: deep clay bowl

Garnishes: coriander, olive oil drizzle

Accompaniments: crusty bread

Ingredients

300g dried kidney beans, soaked overnight
200g beef shank, cubed
2 potatoes, diced
2 carrots, diced
1 small cabbage, shredded
1 onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 bay leaves
3 tbsp olive oil
Fresh coriander
Salt and pepper
1 clean stone (for tradition)

Instructions

1
Drain soaked beans and place in a large pot with beef shank and bay leaves. Cover with 2 liters of water.
2
Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour until beans and beef are tender.
3
Add potatoes, carrots, and onion. Cook 15 minutes.
4
Add shredded cabbage and garlic. Cook 10 more minutes until all vegetables are tender.
5
Remove beef, shred into pieces, and return to the soup. Season with salt and pepper.
6
Drizzle with olive oil and scatter coriander. Traditionally, a clean stone is placed in the pot as a nod to the folktale.

💡

Did You Know?

The restaurant O Forno in Almeirim serves sopa da pedra with an actual stone in the pot, honoring the monk from the folktale who tricked villagers into sharing ingredients.

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

large pot
ladle

Garnishing

coriander, olive oil drizzle

Accompaniments

crusty bread

The Story Behind Sopa da Pedra

Sopa da Pedra is based on the famous Portuguese folktale of a clever monk who arrived in Almeirim with nothing but a stone, convincing skeptical villagers to each contribute an ingredient until a delicious soup materialized. The town of Almeirim has adopted the dish as its culinary identity, and several restaurants there claim to serve the original recipe.

🕐 Traditionally enjoyed lunch, winter 📜 Origins: Medieval, Almeirim

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