Greek comfort food at its best – this traditional Greek giant beans dish is cooked in a rich tomato and veggie sauce and it’s full of Mediterranean flavors: garlic, onions and fresh dill.
It’s a perfect vegan-friendly dinner or flavorful side dish.
Enjoy this traditional Greek giant beans recipe by Greek celebrity chef Giorgos Tsoulis.
Oven-Baked Greek Giant Beans (Gigantes Plaki)
Giorgos Tsoulis
This classic Greek giant beans dish is the ultimate comfort food, simmered in a hearty tomato and vegetable sauce and infused with Mediterranean flavors like garlic, onions, and fresh dill.
Soak the beans overnight in a large bowl with enough cold water.
Preheat the oven to 180°C/356° F with the fan on.
Strain the beans and place them in a deep pot. Cover with water and simmer for 40-50 minutes, or until the beans are soft, skimming at regular intervals.
Strain the beans, retaining 200 ml (~1 cup) of the water.
Pour half the olive oil into a small frying pan and heat over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, red peppers, celery, and carrots. Cook for 5 minutes until they caramelize.
Place the giant beans in a heatproof dish. Add the vegetables, tomatoes, the remaining olive oil, the retained water, dill, and season with salt and pepper on top.
Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until the beans are mushy and well-cooked.
Serve the beans hot, straight from the oven.
Notes
Chef’s tip: To ensure that the beans boil quickly, add 1/4 cup of baking soda when soaking them.
Celebrity Chef Giorgos Tsoulis specializes in modern Mediterranean cuisine and his recipes are widely appreciated not just in Greece and Cyprus but also around the world.
He has been the executive chef of numerous successful Greek restaurants, while at the same time hosting many popular culinary TV shows in Greece and Cyprus. Giorgos Tsoulis is passionate about educating his fans in more sustainable and healthy cooking and eating while making the most of the flavors of the ingredients.
As sustainable cuisine ambassador for WWF Hellas, he plays a key role in cooking activations that relate to the European #Eat4Change program, as well as the #Farm2Fork program.
