Main CourseDinnerLunch

Gigantes Plaki (Greek Baked Giant Beans)

Name: Gigantes Plaki (Greek Baked Giant Beans)
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 1 h 15 min
Total time: 1 h 35 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: greek, mediterranean
Ingredients: 250 g dried butter bean soaked overnight; 1 pcs yellow onion finely chopped; 3 clove garlic minced; 1 pcs carrot grated; 400 g canned chopped tomato; 2 tbsp tomato paste; 250 ml vegetable broth; 0.25 cup fresh parsley chopped; 1 tsp dried oregano; 1 pcs bay leaf; 3 tbsp olive oil; 0.5 tsp salt; 0.25 tsp black pepper freshly ground

This traditional Greek dish features large butter beans baked in a rich, herby tomato sauce until tender and flavorful. It's a comforting and hearty vegan meal, perfect for a main course or a substantial side.

An original recipe by Forkin

Total time: 1 hr 35 min
Serves: 4
Difficulty: Medium

Vegetarian

Allergen information: may contain milk. Always check ingredient packaging if you have an allergy.

Mise en place

Ingredients

250 gdried butter bean, soaked overnight
1 pcsyellow onion, finely chopped
3 clovegarlic, minced
1 pcscarrot, grated
400 gcanned chopped tomato
2 tbsptomato paste
250 mlvegetable broth
0.25 cupfresh parsley, chopped
1 tspdried oregano
1 pcsbay leaf
3 tbspolive oil
0.5 tspsalt
0.25 tspblack pepper, freshly ground

Equipment

oven-safe pot · grater · large pot · cutting board · knife

The method

Step by step

1
Drain the soaked butter beans and rinse them thoroughly.
2
Place the beans in a large pot, cover with fresh water, and bring to a boil.
About 5 min
3
Reduce heat and simmer the beans for 45-60 minutes, or until they are tender but still hold their shape.
About 1 hr
Cook’s note: Do not overcook them at this stage as they will finish cooking in the oven.
4
While the beans are simmering, preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
About 10 min
5
Heat the olive oil in a large oven-safe pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
About 1 min
6
Add the yellow onion and sauté for 5-7 minutes, until softened and translucent.
About 7 min
7
Stir in the minced garlic and grated carrot, cooking for another 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
About 3 min
8
Add the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, to deepen its flavor.
About 1 min
9
Pour in the canned chopped tomatoes and vegetable broth, then add the chopped fresh parsley, dried oregano, and bay leaf.
About 1 min
10
Season the sauce with salt and black pepper.
Cook’s note: Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
11
Drain the par-cooked butter beans and add them to the tomato sauce, stirring gently to combine.
About 1 min
12
Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer on the stovetop.
About 2 min
13
Cover the pot and transfer it to the preheated oven.
14
Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the beans are very tender and the sauce has thickened.
About 40 min
Cook’s note: If the sauce looks too dry, add a little more vegetable broth or hot water during baking.
15
Remove the bay leaf before serving.
16
Serve hot, garnished with extra fresh parsley if desired.

Keep it good

Storage

Store leftover gigantes plaki in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Reheating

Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave until warmed through, adding a splash of water or broth if needed.