Embark on a culinary journey to the heart of the Mediterranean with the enchanting "Gigantes Greek Lima Beans"! These plump and flavorful beans, also known as "giant beans" or "elephant beans," hold a special place in Greek cuisine. Their hearty texture, nutty flavor, and ability to absorb delicious sauces and spices make them a beloved ingredient in traditional Greek dishes. Whether you're a seasoned home cook or just starting your culinary adventures, discover the secrets to preparing the best Gigantes Greek Lima Beans that will tantalize your taste buds and transport you to the sunny shores of Greece.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
GIGANTES PLAKI RECIPE (GIGANDES GREEK BAKED 'GIANT' BEANS)
Filling and super-healthy! A traditional Greek Gigantes beans recipe (gigantes plaki), made of 'giant' beans baked in a tomato sauce with plenty of fresh herbs, for a unique taste!
Provided by Eli K. Giannopoulos
Categories Main
Time 2h20m
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- To prepare the gigantes (Gigsntes) plaki, start by soaking the gigantes beans overnight into plenty of water. Drain them into a colander and rinse with plenty of water.
- Place the gigantes in a large pan with cold water, enough to cover them, add a pinch of sea salt and bring to a boil. Turn the heat down and simmer for 45 minutes, until tender but not cooked. Drain them in a colander and set aside.
- In the meantime, pour into a large baking pan the olive oil, add the chopped onions, the whole garlic clove (peeled) and bake at 180C, until softened and slightly colored (approx. 15 minutes).
- Turn the baking pan out of the oven. Add the gigantes beans (drained), the celery, the parsley, ½ cup of hot water and season with salt and pepper. Put back in the oven and bake for 30 minutes.
- Turn the baking tray out of the oven, blend the gigantes beans lightly with a wooden spoon and pour in the grated tomatoes or plum tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper, add a pinch of oregano and bake the gigantes plaki further for 50-60 minutes at 180C, until the beans are soft and tender and the sauce thickens.
- For an easier alternative, after soaking the gigantes beans overnight, drain and rinse them. Place in a large pan with enough water to cover them and bring to the boil. Boil for 5 minutes, drain them and place into a large baking pan, along with all of the ingredients, cover with some aluminum foil and bake at 180C for approx. 2 hours. The last 30 minutes, bake without the aluminium foil. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 portion, Calories 351kcal, Sugar 4.1g, Sodium 307mg, Fat 14.7g, SaturatedFat 2.2g, UnsaturatedFat 11.9g, TransFat 0g, Carbohydrate 42.7g, Fiber 10.9g, Protein 15.6g, Cholesterol 0mg
GIGANTES
Steps:
- Add the beans to a pot with enough cold water to cover well. Bring to a boil, lower the heat, cover, and simmer until just soft throughout but not quite cooked, approximately 50 to 80 minutes, depending on the beans. Drain and set aside.
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
- Heat olive oil over medium heat in a Dutch oven. Add onion and cook until soft. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add tomatoes and their liquid, 2 cups water, honey, cloves, salt, and pepper and boil gently for 20 to 30 minutes or until it begins to thicken. Stir in the parsley and remove from heat.
- Place the beans in an oven-proof dish, pour tomato mixture on top, stir and spread mixture out evenly. Bake 1 1/2 to 2 hours, or until beans are soft. (Check the dish during cooking and if needed, add a small amount of boiling water.) The dish will look crispy on top. Remove from the oven and let sit for 10 minutes before serving. Serve hot or at room temperature.
GIGANTE BEANS
Provided by Michael Symon
Categories Bean Side Easter Picnic Low Fat Low Cal High Fiber Dinner Low Cholesterol Potluck Bon Appétit Pescatarian Wheat/Gluten-Free Peanut Free Tree Nut Free Soy Free Kosher
Yield Makes 12 servings
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Place beans in large bowl. Pour enough water over to cover beans by 3 inches; let soak overnight. Drain beans; set aside.
- Heat olive oil in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add chopped onions and garlic and sauté until onions are golden brown, 6 to 7 minutes. Add beans, 8 cups chicken broth, tomatoes with juice, vinegar, ouzo, oregano, and crushed red pepper to pot; bring to boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer until beans are tender, adding more broth by cupfuls to keep beans submerged and stirring occasionally, 2 to 3 hours, depending on freshness of beans. If necessary, uncover and cook beans until tomato mixture thickens and liquid is slightly reduced, 10 to 15 minutes. Season beans to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper. DO AHEAD: beans can be made up to 1 day ahead. Cool slightly. Chill uncovered until cold, then cover and keep chilled. Rewarm beans before continuing, adding more chicken broth by 1/2 cupfuls if beans are dry.
- Stir chopped fresh dill into beans. Serve with octopus .
GIGANTES (GREEK LIMA BEANS)
This is a family recipe. In Greek, it's called 'Gigantes' which translates as 'Giants.' Try to find the largest dried lima beans possible. My aunt adds small canned sausages, but I prefer this meatless. Serve with feta cheese and a crusty bread. You can also substitute 2 teaspoons parsley for the dill if you prefer.
Provided by stamarex
Categories Side Dish Beans and Peas Baked Bean Recipes
Time 10h
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Place the lima beans in a large saucepan. Pour enough water to fill to 2 inches above top of the beans. Allow to soak overnight.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
- Place the saucepan over medium heat; bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 20 minutes; drain. Pour the beans into a 9 x 13 baking dish. Add the tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, salt, and dill; stir.
- Bake in preheated oven for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally and adding water if the mixture appears dry.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 448.7 calories, Carbohydrate 40.4 g, Fat 27.5 g, Fiber 11.8 g, Protein 13 g, SaturatedFat 3.8 g, Sodium 171 mg, Sugar 7.4 g
BAKED GIGANTES BEANS
Provided by Rachael Ray : Food Network
Categories side-dish
Time 17m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
- In a small oven safe dish or casserole, combine beans with tomato sauce, parsley, and oregano, crushing the oregano in your palm before you sprinkle it into the beans. Drizzle beans with a touch of extra-virgin oil and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Combine ingredients with a final toss.
- Place in oven and bake 12 minutes or until sauce is bubbling and beans are heated through.
GIGANTES (GREEK LIMA BEANS)
This is a family recipe. In Greek, it's called 'Gigantes' which translates as 'Giants.' Try to find the largest dried lima beans possible. My aunt adds small canned sausages, but I prefer this meatless. Serve with feta cheese and a crusty bread. You can also substitute 2 teaspoons parsley for the dill if you prefer.
Provided by stamarex
Categories Baked Beans
Time 10h
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Place the lima beans in a large saucepan. Pour enough water to fill to 2 inches above top of the beans. Allow to soak overnight.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
- Place the saucepan over medium heat; bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 20 minutes; drain. Pour the beans into a 9 x 13 baking dish. Add the tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, salt, and dill; stir.
- Bake in preheated oven for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally and adding water if the mixture appears dry.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 448.7 calories, Carbohydrate 40.4 g, Fat 27.5 g, Fiber 11.8 g, Protein 13 g, SaturatedFat 3.8 g, Sodium 171 mg, Sugar 7.4 g
Tips:
- Choose fresh and plump lima beans. If using dried beans, soak them overnight before cooking. - Use a large pot or Dutch oven to cook the beans, as they will expand during cooking. - Add plenty of liquid to the pot, as the beans will absorb a lot of it. - Season the beans generously with salt, pepper, and other spices. - Bring the beans to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until they are tender. This may take up to an hour. - Serve the beans hot or cold, as a main course or as a side dish.Conclusion:
Gigantes plaki is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed in many different ways. Whether you serve it as a main course or as a side dish, hot or cold, this dish is sure to please everyone at your table. With its simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, gigantes plaki is a great recipe for beginner and experienced cooks alike. So next time you're looking for a new and exciting way to prepare lima beans, give gigantes plaki a try!
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