Gigantes plaki (Greek γίγαντες πλακί pronounced [ˈʝiɣa(n)des plaˈci]) or Greek giant baked beans,[1][2][3][4] is a Greek dish of large white beans baked in a tomato sauce.[5][6][7][8][9][10] Gigantes plaki may be served as a main dish or as a meze. The beans are traditionally fasolia gigantes 'giant beans', a variety of Phaseolus coccineus.[11]
The Greek cooking method plaki[12] is where food is baked or roasted on a roasting tin in the oven with extra virgin olive oil, tomatoes, vegetables, and herbs, with the well-known gigantes beans plaki and fish plaki.[12]
Cooking methods
editThe dish is made with dried giant runner beans (called fasolia gigantes), tomatoes, onions, olive oil, parsley, and carrots. Large lima beans are sometimes substituted. Other vegetables such as garlic and celery are sometimes used. The dish is vegan and thus suitable for Orthodox Christian fast days, though sometimes sausages or cubed smoked pork are added.
The beans are soaked and boiled until tender. The aromatics are sautéed to make a sofrito and mixed with the beans. Then the beans are baked until the top layer of the dish is browned. The dish may be served at room temperature or warm.
Serving methods
editGigantes plaki are often served at room temperature as part of a meze. They are also served as a main course. It is particularly popular in the autumn and winter. Gigantes are often served with feta cheese and bread.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Gigandes plaki". TasteAtlas. Archived from the original on 8 October 2024.
- ^ Ismyrnoglou, Nena. "Gigantes plaki with herbs" (in Greek). Archived from the original on 8 October 2024.
- ^ Ismyrnoglou, Nena. "Gigantes plaki with fresh tomato, mint and bukovo" (in Greek). Archived from the original on 8 October 2024.
- ^ "Cusina Caruso: Gigantes beans - Roasted butter beans from Prespes Lakes". Archived from the original on 8 October 2024.
- ^ "Fasolia Gigantes - Greek Giant Baked Beans in Tomato Sauce recipe". Allrecipes.com. Archived from the original on 12 October 2017.
- ^ "Gigantes (Greek Lima Beans)". Allrecipes.com. 25 October 2022. Archived from the original on 8 October 2024.
- ^ "Organically cooked: Gigandes (Giant beans - baked butter beans)". 23 January 2008. Archived from the original on 14 June 2018. Retrieved 17 July 2011.
- ^ "Gigantes (Greek Giant Baked Beans)". Food.com. Archived from the original on 8 October 2024.
- ^ "Gigantes Plaki". Good Food. Archived from the original on 8 October 2024.
- ^ "Gigantes/Yiyantes (Greek Giant Baked Beans)". Archived from the original on 14 January 2014. Retrieved 26 January 2009.
- ^ A. Hadjichristodoulou (December 1990). Trials with Scarlet Runner Beans (Phaseolus Coccineous L.) (PDF) (Report). Nicosia: Agricultural Research Institute of the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Cyprus. ISSN 0253-6749. Archived (PDF) from the original on 26 July 2022.
- ^ a b Makrionitou, Nikoleta. "Plaki: Its history and 7 Greek recipes" (in Greek). Archived from the original on 8 October 2024.