Best 3 Yigandes Plaki Greek Baked Beans Tomato Casserole Recipes

"Yigandes plaki", also known as "gigantes plaki" or "giant baked beans", is a beloved Greek casserole dish that captivates taste buds with its symphony of flavors. This traditional recipe, rooted in Greek culinary heritage, features tender giant beans braised in a rich and flavorful tomato sauce, harmoniously blended with aromatic spices and fresh herbs. As the dish bakes in the oven, the beans absorb the delectable sauce, resulting in a hearty and comforting casserole that embodies the essence of Greek home cooking. Whether served as a main course or a delectable side dish, "yigandes plaki" offers a delectable journey into the realm of Greek cuisine, promising an unforgettable culinary experience.

Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!

GIGANTES PLAKI RECIPE (GIGANDES GREEK BAKED 'GIANT' BEANS)

Gigantes Plaki recipe (Gigandes Greek Baked 'Giant' Beans) image

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

Ingredients

500g gigantes beans (17 ounces)
1/2 cup olive oil
1 small clove of garlic
1 large onion, finely chopped
4-5 tbsps parsley, finely chopped
1/2 tbsp celery, finely chopped
1/2 cup of hot water
400g (14 ounces) tinned chopped tomatoes or 600g (21 ounces) ripped fresh tomatoes, grated
1 tsp dried oregano
salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

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 PLAKI

Gigantes plaki image

Satisfying and superhealthy, enjoy at room temperature as part of a meze, or on top of toasted sourdough

Provided by Good Food team

Categories Dinner, Side dish

Time 2h20m

Number Of Ingredients 10

Ingredients

400g dried butter beans
3 tbsp Greek extra virgin olive oil, plus more to serve
1 Spanish onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
2 tbsp tomato purée
800g ripe tomatoes, skins removed, roughly chopped
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp dried oregano
pinch ground cinnamon
2 tbsp chopped flat-leaf parsley, plus extra to serve

Steps:

Soak the beans overnight in plenty of water. Drain, rinse, then place in a pan covered with water. Bring to the boil, reduce the heat, then simmer for approx 50 mins until slightly tender but not soft. Drain, then set aside.
Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan, tip in the onion and garlic, then cook over a medium heat for 10 mins until softened but not browned. Add the tomato purée, cook for a further min, add remaining ingredients, then simmer for 2-3 mins. Season generously, then stir in the beans. Tip into a large ovenproof dish, then bake for approximately 1 hr, uncovered and without stirring, until the beans are tender. The beans will absorb all the fabulous flavours and the sauce will thicken. Allow to cool, then scatter with parsley and drizzle with a little more olive oil to serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 431 calories, Fat 11 grams fat, SaturatedFat 1 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 66 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 15 grams sugar, Fiber 19 grams fiber, Protein 22 grams protein, Sodium 0.2 milligram of sodium

YIGANDES PLAKI - GREEK BAKED BEANS & TOMATO CASSEROLE

Yigandes Plaki - Greek Baked Beans & Tomato Casserole image

This is a traditional vegetarian Greek dish. The main ingedients are of course, the huge beans & tomato.....try to find original yigandes (gigantes, gigandes) beans at a Greek or ethnic market for this dish, otherwise use the biggest lima beans you can find. Recipe by: Nancy Gaifyllia.She says "Restaurants serve this as a meze (in small portions), but because of the quantity in which it's fixed, unless you're planning a selection of mezether for a large gathering, it works better as a main dish" Time to make doesn't include soaking time. Posted for ZWT 4

Provided by Um Safia

Categories Beans

Time 3h20m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

Ingredients

1 lb yigandes beans, soaked for 12 hours, drained (or big lima beans)
2 -3 garlic cloves, minced
2 medium onions, finely chopped
1/2 cup olive oil
1 lb of ripe tomatoes, peeled, finely chopped (or 16oz. of canned chopped plum tomatoes)
2 small vegetable bouillon cubes
sea salt (optional)
fresh ground pepper
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
2 cups water (1 1/2 cups if using canned tomatoes)

Steps:

Add the beans to a pot with enough cold water to cover well. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and cook at a slow boil for 1 hour. Drain and set aside.
Preheat the oven to 325F (160C).
Using a wooden spoon, sauté the onion and garlic in the olive oil until soft.
Add tomatoes (if using canned, add all liquid as well), bouillon cubes, salt, pepper, parsley, and water, and allow to boil gently for 10-30 minutes, until it begins to thicken.
Place the beans in an oven-proof pan, add tomato mixture, 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, cover, and allow to cool. Serve warm or at room temperature.
When using after refrigerating, allow it to come to room temperature, or heat briefly in the microwave. This dish is not served hot.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 284, Fat 27.3, SaturatedFat 3.8, Sodium 13.3, Carbohydrate 10.2, Fiber 2.4, Sugar 5.3, Protein 1.8

Tips:

Use dried beans for the best flavor and texture. If using canned beans, rinse them well before using.
Soak the beans overnight in cold water to reduce cooking time. If you don't have time to soak the beans, you can quick-soak them by boiling them for 1 minute, then removing them from the heat and letting them stand for 1 hour.
Use a variety of vegetables in your casserole. This will add flavor and color to the dish. Some good choices include onions, carrots, celery, tomatoes, and bell peppers.
Season the casserole well with salt, pepper, and oregano. You can also add other herbs and spices, such as cumin, paprika, or bay leaves.
Bake the casserole in a preheated oven until the beans are tender and the sauce has thickened. This usually takes about 1 hour.
Serve the casserole hot with crusty bread or rice.

Conclusion:

Yigandes plaki is a delicious and hearty Greek dish that is perfect for a winter meal. The beans are tender and flavorful, and the sauce is rich and tangy. This casserole is sure to please everyone at your table.