Gigantes Plaki Recipe Gigandes Greek Baked Giant Beans

GIGANTES PLAKI STO FOURNO (BAKED GIANT BEANS)

Steps:

• Soak the beans in plenty of water, overnight.
• Drain and put them in a pot with fresh water and bring to a boil.
• Remove any froth forming on top, with a slotted ladle.
• Drain them again and add fresh water as well as the bay leaf and bring to a boil.
• Add salt, lower heat and simmer until almost cooked (about 1 hour and 30 minutes).
• Drain and discard the bay leaf.
• Put the beans in a a Pyrex in one layer.
• Meantime, heat the olive oil in a skillet and sauté the onion until translucent.
• Add the garlic and sauté for a few seconds until fragrant.
• Add the chopped celery, carrot and bell pepper. Sauté for a few minutes
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Add the tomato and mix.
• Add vegetable stock or water with a vegetable bouillon.
• Simmer for 10 - 15 minutes.
• Pour the sauce over the beans. Add more water, if necessary, to cover the beans.
• Cover the Pyrex with aluminium foil.
• Preheat the oven to 200o C / 400o F.
• Bake for about 1 hour and remove the aluminium foil and mix.
• Lower heat to 180oC and continue cooking for another half an hour, or until the beans absorb all the juices and the beans begin to caramelize.
• Serve as a main dish or as part of a mezze dish.

GREEK BAKED GIANT BEANS (GIGANTES PLAKI)

Steps:

• Soak the beans in a large bowl with plenty of water for at least 12 hours (24 hours will work best).Rinse them well and transfer them in large pot. Fill with enough water to cover them by at least 2 inches and bring to a simmer. Skim any foam from the surface and cook until tender (about 1 hour). Remove from the heat.
• Preheat your oven to 390°F (200°C).Drain half of the water from the pot and refill with fresh water (this will cool the beans and will help them not to peel-off when drained). Stir gently and let them sit until you prepare the rest of the ingredients.
• Drain the beans and transfer them to a large casserole dish or baking pan. Add the rest of the ingredients except the water and stir gently to mix. Add enough water to just cover them.
• Bake for about 60 minutes or until almost all of the liquids have evaporated.
• Serve with bread and olives. Eat!