Description
Gigantes plaki is a traditional Greek dish featuring creamy butter beans baked in a rich tomato sauce with vegetables and herbs, making it a hearty and satisfying main course.
Ingredients
- 300 g (about 1½ cups) dried butter beans (large lima beans)
- ½ teaspoon baking soda, for the soaking water
- Water, for soaking and simmering
- 90 ml (6 tablespoons) olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion (about 200 g), diced
- 1 medium carrot, diced
- 2 celery stalks, finely sliced
- 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 500 g (about 18 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1½ teaspoons salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 250 ml (about 1 cup) bean cooking liquid, reserved from simmering the beans
- 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
Instructions
- Soak the beans in a large bowl covered with cold water and stir in ½ teaspoon of baking soda for about 14 hours.
- Rinse the beans very well under cold running water to wash away the baking soda.
- Simmer the beans in a pot with fresh water over medium heat for about 75 minutes until they are creamy inside but skins are intact.
- Drain the beans, reserving at least 300 ml of the cooking liquid.
- Heat the oven to 190°C (about 375°F) and warm half of the olive oil in the same pot.
- Add the diced onion, carrot, and celery. Cook for about 8 to 10 minutes until soft, then add the garlic.
- Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, then add the crushed tomatoes, brown sugar, oregano, salt, pepper, and reserved bean liquid.
- Simmer for a few minutes until the sauce comes together, then gently fold in the cooked beans and herbs.
- Transfer everything to a ceramic baking dish and drizzle with the remaining olive oil.
- Cover the dish with foil or a lid and bake for 20 minutes.
- Bake uncovered for another 25 minutes until thickened and browned on top.
- Rest for 15 minutes before serving, then garnish with remaining parsley and dill.
Notes
Avoid stirring the dish while baking, as it can break the beans. This dish is even better the next day as flavors meld.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 75 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Greek