GIGANTES: BAKED GIANT BEAN CASSEROLE
Yield:
8
Ingredients
- 1 pound giant butter or lima beans, soaked in water overnight
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 4 large garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup of olive oil
- 1 (28 ounce can of tomatoes) pureed in blender
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 2 teaspoon sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley for garnish
- about 1 cup or more of crumbled feta cheese
Instructions
- Gigantes, the Greek word meaning giant is a delicious, versatile, hearty vegetarian dish. It's a filling meal all by itself with a nice salad. It can also be transformed into elegant crostini, like in the above pic. Serve it as a side with fish or meat. The options are endless....just try it, it's super yummy!! Especially with crumbled feta cheese on top. Feta makes everything tastier 😉
- Place beans in a large pot covered with cold water and bring to a boil. Cook the beans about 40 minutes or until tender but not mushy. They will continue cooking in the oven. Strain the beans and place them in a 9x13inch baking dish. Pour 1/4 cup of olive oil over the beans and sprinkle some salt and mix well.
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
- Heat 1/4 cup olive oil in a Dutch oven pot or saucepan. Add onions and cook over medium-low heat until soft and golden. About 10-15 minutes. Add garlic and cook for about 5 minutes or until soft and golden. Add tomato puree, spices and sugar.
- Cook for 15-20 minutes until the sauce gets nice and thick. Pour the sauce over the beans and mix well. Bake uncovered for about 45 minutes. Raise temperature to 400 degrees and cook for another 10 minutes or until the beans get nice and crispy on top around the edges..... those are the tastiest ones!
- Garnish with the crumbled feta and chopped parsley and ENJOY!!!
I love yourshow. At 87 had the Good Fortune of going to Greece many times.i had a share in the restaurant Bella Elene in Politia,(sp?) out side of Athens. My son is a chef and we look at your program to pick up new ideas along with that it is great listen to the music. My best to you and your success. Trying to send your mail to my daughter to get her to sign up
her to sign up. Thanks
Thank you very much for your comment and for being here! I really appreciate you and wish you all the very best. Love and best wishes, Dimitra
Hello, I bought Gigantes and look forward to using them in this recipe. Do I soak the beans overnight before getting started?
I just saw the method in th video!
I made these tonight and they were amazing as are all of your recipes Dimitra! The beans were soft and so flavourful! The entire kitchen smelled wonderful during baking.
Thank you!
I made this and everyone loved it. Thanks for a great recipe!
My beans turned out DELICIOUS!!
I’m not a fan of Lima beans so I used Great Northern beans. I also added a can of chicken stalk.