Oven-Baked Greek Giant Beans (Gigantes Plaki)
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.
Ingredients
- 500 gr giant beans
- 1 large onion thinly sliced vertically
- 2 cloves garlic chopped
- 800 gr crushed tomatoes
- 2 red peppers cut into thin slices
- 1 stick of celery chopped
- 2 carrots thinly sliced vertically
- ½ bunch dill chopped
- 200 ml olive oil
- salt
- pepper
Instructions
- 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.
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