Traditional Greek Recipes: Gigantes Plaki (Giant Greek Beans)

‘Gigantes’ beans get their name from, well, being gigantic. Gigantes Plaki are not only a comfort food but a superfood.

These flat, white beans are high in dietary fiber and protein, as well as a good source of vitamin A. The Greek Herald gives the recipe to the staple Greek cuisine just in time for the winter rush.

Ingredients:

• 200g Gigantes dried beans (or dried butter beans, or quite frankly any dried white beans will do)
• 1 carrot diced
• 1 stick celery diced
• 1 small red onion finely chopped
• 1 small leek finely chopped
• 1 clove garlic minced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 400g tin of chopped tomatoes
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• salt and pepper to taste

Method:

• 1. Place dried beans in a pan and cover with cold water and leave to soak overnight.
• 2. Rinse the beans and place them in a pan and cover with water and bring to a boil then simmer for an hour at least, you want them tender.
• 3. Drain and reserve a cup of the cooking liquid
• 4. Heat oil in a frying pan and saute the onion, celery, and carrot for 5 minutes then add dried herbs and the garlic for 1 minute, set aside till beans are ready
• 5. Pour the beans into an ovenproof dish and add all the other ingredients plus the saved cooking water
• 6. Bake in a preheated oven at 180 degrees (Celsius) for 30 minutes.

Note that as these are dried beans you will have to soak them overnight.

Kali Orexi!

Source: Larder Love