Traditional Greek Recipes: Gigantes Plaki (Giant Greek Beans)

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‘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
Giant Greek beans. Photo: Larderlove.com.

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

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