Best 2 My Big Fat Greek Baked Beans Recipes

Embark on a culinary journey to the vibrant shores of Greece, where flavors dance in perfect harmony. Indulge in the tantalizing aroma of My Big Fat Greek Baked Beans, a symphony of flavors that will transport your taste buds to the heart of the Mediterranean. Discover the secrets to creating this delectable dish, a delightful blend of tender beans, aromatic herbs, juicy tomatoes, and a symphony of spices. Prepare to tantalize your palate with every bite as we delve into this beloved Greek classic and explore the tips and tricks to achieve the perfect balance of flavors.

Let's cook with our recipes!

MY BIG FAT GREEK BAKED BEANS

My Big Fat Greek Baked Beans image

I used to believe the best baked beans came from Boston or Texas, but ever since I discovered this very hearty giant bean casserole, I have to give it to the Greeks. 'Big Fat' refers not only to size of the beans, but also to the huge flavor of this dish. Use the largest beans you can find: Gigante beans are the best, but Corona and lima beans also work great. Serve alongside grilled meat or simply with extra feta for a great vegetarian main.

Provided by Chef John

Categories Side Dish Beans and Peas Baked Bean Recipes

Time 10h5m

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 17

Ingredients

1 pound dried Corona beans
3 quarts cold water
2 bay leaves
1 large red onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, sliced
2 cups tomato sauce
2 tablespoons tomato paste
3 tablespoons honey
½ cup chopped fresh dill
½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste
¼ cup red wine vinegar
2 cups water, or more as needed
4 ounces feta cheese
1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill

Steps:

Place Corona beans in a large bowl. Cover with a generous amount of water and let soak, 8 hours to overnight.
Drain beans into a pot. Add 3 quarts fresh water and bay leaves. Bring to a boil, stir, and reduce heat to medium. Simmer until just tender but not too soft, 45 to 60 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Drain beans and spread into a large casserole dish. Add red onion, garlic, tomato sauce, tomato paste, honey, 1/2 cup dill, olive oil, salt, pepper, cayenne, vinegar, and water. Mix until well combined. Place dish onto a lined baking sheet to catch any spills.
Bake in the preheated oven until top is bubbling and caramelized and beans are soft, about 1 hour. Check periodically and add more water if casserole is too dry.
Stir casserole and smooth the top. Garnish with feta cheese and 1 tablespoon dill.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 330.3 calories, Carbohydrate 38.5 g, Cholesterol 10.1 mg, Fat 13.8 g, Fiber 7.7 g, Protein 13.1 g, SaturatedFat 3.3 g, Sodium 1003.6 mg, Sugar 9.9 g

GIGANTES (GREEK GIANT BAKED BEANS)

Gigantes (Greek Giant Baked Beans) image

Butter Beans are most similar to our 'gigantes' (giants). If any of you have access to an ethnic Greek grocery, go and get the real thing - you'll love them!

Provided by evelynathens

Categories Beans

Time 2h30m

Yield 8-12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 15

Ingredients

1 lb dried butter beans (soaked overnight) or 1 lb dried lima beans (soaked overnight)
1 large onion, chopped (about 1 1/2 cups)
1 (16 ounce) can diced tomatoes with juice (concasse)
1 yellow bell pepper, chopped into 1/2 inch pieces
1 red bell pepper, chopped into 1/2 inch pieces
4 -5 garlic cloves, minced
3 large carrots, chopped into 1/2 inch pieces
2 stalks celery & leaves, chopped into 1/2 inch pieces
3/4 cup olive oil
1/2 lb bacon, chopped (or 6 oz. bacon and 6 oz good quality pork sausage, cut up) (optional)
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 vegetable bouillon cubes
2 tablespoons ketchup
2 tablespoons fresh dill, minced
enough hot water, to cover beans by 1 inch

Steps:

Cook the pre-soaked beans in a pressure cooker, with enough water to cover by one inch, for 20 minutes and allow to sit, undisturbed, for 2-3 hours before proceeding with recipe.
Tip the beans into a large baking pan.
Add all of the remaining ingredients, except the dill, and stir well to distribute.
Pour over enough hot water to cover beans by 1".
Place pan in oven and set oven to 400°F.
Bake for 2 hours. Check, if you like your beans more tender, cook them a half hour longer.
Stir dill in for last 15 minutes of baking.
There will still be plenty of juices in the pan, but these will be absorbed by the beans and thicken as the beans cool.
Like nearly all bean recipes, these only improve the next day, and the day after next.
In Greece, these beans would constitute the main, 'vegetarian' meal and would not include the bacon, which is my own addition. We often eat meatless, especially when we're fasting. With or without the bacon or sausage, this is good eating, especially with a big chunk of sharp feta cheese on the side to nibble on between bites of beans and slurps of sauce and some good, honest, crusty bread to clean your plate up with. :-).

Tips:

Soak the beans overnight: This will help to reduce the cooking time and make the beans more tender.
Use a variety of beans: This will add flavor and texture to the dish. Try using a combination of white beans, black beans, and kidney beans.
Add plenty of spices: This is what gives Greek baked beans their characteristic flavor. Be sure to use a good quality olive oil, oregano, thyme, and garlic.
Don't be afraid to experiment: There are many ways to make Greek baked beans. Feel free to add your own favorite ingredients or adjust the spices to your liking.

Conclusion:

Greek baked beans are a delicious and hearty dish that is perfect for any occasion. They are easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste. So next time you're looking for a new recipe to try, give Greek baked beans a try. You won't be disappointed!