So, as you probably can guess, Gigantes refers to the size of the beans! And Plaki (I think) means that it’s something cooked in the oven or baked. Now, I’m not claiming that my version of this dish is authentically Greek. I’ve seen several versions, some which involved a few extra steps in the process, but here’s my interpretation of a delicious vegetarian dish which can be served as is, or as part of a meze. And you don’t even have to stress about it being served piping hot, Greek food is often dished up at room temperature!
Ingredients (to serve 4)
- 500g of large white beans (I used butter beans but others that can be used are lima beans) soaked overnight in water with a small pinch of bicarbonate of soda
- About 500g of a simple tomato sauce made with tomatoes, garlic, some finely chopped celery (if you have it) and some chopped fresh parsley
Rinse the beans, cover with cold water and bring to the boil. Fast boil for 10 minutes, skim off any scum and reduce to a simmer for about an hour – you want them almost cooked but not quite.
Heat the oven to medium (about 160 degrees) and make sure your tomato sauce is hot. Drain the beans.
Stir the beans and the tomato sauce together and put into an ovenproof dish. Bake for about 1 ½ – 2 hours until the beans are tender and a little dry/crispy on top. You may need to add a little water during cooking. Check for seasoning and adjust if necessary, add a little extra chopped parsley if you like and sit back and wait for them to cool down a little. Or just eat them piping hot and hope that no one reports you….
Chica Andaluza 
According to Google translate it means giants plate.
I like that!
Delicious! I would imagine that the beans reached Greece via Spain, as they originally came from the Americas and were not cultivated in Europe until the 1500s 😉
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phaseolus_lunatus
How interesting! I think it’s very likely J
…and of course discovered by an Italian 😉
…but of course!
😉
My mum says that if you wait for the food to cool down, you miss out on 90% of the taste!
She always eats her food piping hot 🙂
I have never seen beans that are this big! they certainly deserve the name
Love what your mum says! Big Man likes his food and drinks piping hit, I prefer mine to cool down a little first J
Drooooooool!!!! 😉
😉
I love butter beans so much. This makes such a nice change from regular baked beans 🙂
They were very tasty indeed!
Fantastic – and SO simple! I must try this; we’re sure to love it.
I think this is something you’d enjoy!
Oh that looks so scrumptious. I’ll probably go for a shortcut, lazy version of canned beans. Cheating is okay???
Cheating is always ok as long as you cheat with love!
Well, most quite authentic Lebanese food also is oft served room temperature . . . went Sunday sailing on Sydney Harbour for years with Lebanese friends and none of us minded the food coming out of containers just as it ‘was’!! Lovely bean recipe: I’ll take the long way and enjoy 🙂 !
I love days like that when people arrive with containers of home cooked food!
Are different types of beans can be made with the same recipe ? Because maybe in my country Indonesia different types of nuts in Greece. 🙂
Oh yes, use any bean you like!
I made home made baked beans a while back, and they taste amazing. I love the big variety you have used here 🙂
I want to tackle baked beans (as we know them more traditionally) next!
Never met a bean I didn’t like, as you know. These look especially yummy… I think favas would do nicely as well. Mmmmmm!!
Love it – I don’t think I’ve ever met a bean I didn’t like either!
Still hungry after swimming this morning. They look like they would hit the spot!
Ooh swimming makes me hungry too. Best not to eat these before swimming or you’d run the risk of turning the pool into a Jacuzzi 😉
Yum! I just need a spoon and a bowl 😀
That’s the way to do it!
Giant baked beans for my giant appetite. You think of everything Ms Chica 🙂
I aim to pleae J
I am hoping that the word “pleae” just means that you forgot to add an “s” rather than misspelled the word “plie” and are taking up ballet? That would just be showing off Ms Chica! 😉
Well, now you mention it I did consider it as a new hobby but I just couldn’t find tights that didn’t make my legs look like two pork sausages 😉
Me too :(. Probably best we stick to our Burlesque eh? 😉
J Absolutely!
Serves 4, um, not here! Reckon that would do a good healthy one portion for me, Miss Piggy.
Have a beautiful day Tanya.
🙂 Mandy xo
Hee hee – it could be a windy day in your part of the world if you ate it all 😉
With some nice crusty bread! 🙂
Oh yes!
Oh my goodness… those beans are huge! About 5 minutes ago I finished planting out our broad beans. I’ve never grown them before, but hopefully if I get a good harvest I could adapt this recipe? 🙂
Ooh we love broad beans – we always grow them when we’re in Spain – and they’re very adaptable!
Nice article.
Giants plate. I like that. And I would love a bowl.
J
Deliciousssss yummmmmy
Perfectly handy and flavor-filled beans recipe for summer:)
Thanks Peri J
The food is made from the fruit of what ..? It looks delicious..?
It’s a bean!
That kind of soybeans? Hugh. What exists only in Spain alone? To my knowledge delicious fried soybeans.
Not soy beans, but a large bean. Any bean could be used though.
mistress or lady, if you share a recipe that can use other beans in Indonesia because we are so many types of beans.
is it good for lunch?
It’s good for any meal!
It looks delicious. beautiful pict
i think the ide is simple.. but taste good.. love it… thks