18 Giant Greek Bean Recipe Cook Up Something Special!
Published on: Apr 2, 2024
Giant Greek beans, also known as gigantes plaki, are a staple in Greek cuisine and are loved for their hearty and comforting flavor. These large, creamy white beans are traditionally cooked in a rich tomato sauce and make for a delicious and satisfying meal. In this article, we will dive into the history and origins of this famous Greek dish and share a simple and authentic recipe for you to try at home.
Greek Chickpea Soup with Lemon and Olive Oil (Revithia)
Main Ingredients: Dried Chickpeas, Onion, Olive Oil, Oregano, Dried
This traditional Greek soup is bursting with flavor and nutrients. The combination of chickpeas, lemon, and olive oil creates a rich and hearty broth that is perfect for a cold winter day. The soup is typically served with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and a sprinkle of fresh herbs, such as oregano or thyme. It's a simple and delicious dish that can be enjoyed as a light lunch or as a starter for a larger meal.
This colorful and refreshing salad is a staple in Greek cuisine. It combines tender white beans, crisp vegetables, tangy feta cheese, and a zesty lemon and oregano dressing. It's a great dish to bring to a potluck or barbecue, as it can be made ahead of time and served cold. It's also a nutritious and satisfying option for a light lunch or dinner.
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Meatless Monday Greek Bean Burgers
Main Ingredients: Flax, White Cannellini Beans, Zucchini, Red Onion
If you're looking for a meatless option that still packs a punch of flavor and protein, these Greek bean burgers are a must-try. Made with cannellini beans, spinach, and feta cheese, these burgers are packed with vegetables and fiber. The addition of tzatziki sauce and red onion slices give them a Greek twist and make them a delicious and satisfying meal.
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Greek Bean and Feta Summer Salad
Main Ingredients: Canned Chickpeas, Avocado, Cherry Tomatoes, Cucumber
This light and refreshing salad is perfect for a hot summer day. It's made with a variety of beans, including chickpeas, cannellini beans, and kidney beans, as well as fresh vegetables like cucumber, tomatoes, and red onion. The tangy feta cheese and kalamata olives add a Greek twist to this salad, making it a flavorful and nutritious option for any summer gathering.
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How to make Traditional Greek Bean Soup (fasolada)
Main Ingredients: Cannellini Beans, Water, Red Onion, Celery Stalks
This classic Greek soup is a staple in many Greek households. Made with white beans, carrots, celery, and tomatoes, it's a hearty and nutritious meal that is perfect for a cold winter day. The soup is typically served with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of fresh herbs, such as oregano or thyme. It's a simple and comforting dish that will warm you up from the inside out.
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Green Bean Salad with Greek Olives and Feta Cheese
Main Ingredients: Fresh Green Beans, Beans, Red Onion, Pitted Kalamata
This colorful and flavorful salad is a great way to incorporate green beans into your diet. The combination of salty kalamata olives, tangy feta cheese, and fresh herbs creates a unique and delicious dressing for the green beans. This salad is a great side dish for any meal and is perfect for a Mediterranean inspired menu.
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Greek Chickpea Salad + Tzatziki Dressing
Main Ingredients: English Cucumbers, Yellow Bell Pepper, Cherry Tomatoes
This refreshing and creamy salad is the perfect summer dish. It's made with chickpeas, cucumber, tomatoes, and red onion, and is tossed in a homemade tzatziki dressing. The combination of protein from the chickpeas and healthy fats from the olive oil in the dressing makes this salad a nutritious and satisfying meal.
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Greek Beans (Gigantes Plaki)
Main Ingredients: Beans, Crushed Tomatoes, Garlic, Yellow Onions, Chopped
This hearty and flavorful dish is a staple in Greek cuisine. It's made with gigantes beans, which are a type of large white bean, and is typically slow-cooked in a rich tomato and herb sauce. It's a great option for a vegetarian main course and is often served with a side of crusty bread for dipping into the sauce.
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Greek-Style Braised Eggplant
Main Ingredients: Eggplant, Salt, Yellow Onion, Green Bell Pepper
This delicious and nutritious dish is a great way to incorporate eggplant into your diet. The eggplant is braised in a rich tomato and herb sauce, giving it a Greek twist. It can be served as a side dish or can be enjoyed as a main course with a side of quinoa or brown rice. It's a great way to add more vegetables to your meal.
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Greek baked giant beans (Gigandes)
Main Ingredients: Beans, Olive Oil, Onion, Carrot, Tomatoes, Chopped
This hearty and flavorful dish is a great way to incorporate gigandes beans into your diet. The beans are baked in a rich tomato and herb sauce, giving them a Greek twist. This dish can be enjoyed as a main course or as a side dish with grilled meat or fish. It's a great option for a gluten-free and vegetarian meal.
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Fassolia Piaz (Greek White Beans Salad)
Main Ingredients: Beans, Salt, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Tomatoes, Parsley
This simple and flavorful salad is a great option for a quick and easy lunch or side dish. It's made with white beans, cucumber, red onion, and fresh herbs, and is dressed in a lemon and olive oil dressing. It's a great way to add more plant-based protein to your diet and is a staple in Greek cuisine.
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Greek Pasta Skillet with Burst Cherry Tomatoes
Main Ingredients: Pasta Shells, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Red Onion, Garlic
This one-pan meal is perfect for a busy weeknight. It's made with whole grain pasta, cherry tomatoes, spinach, and olives, and is tossed in a creamy feta and oregano sauce. The addition of chickpeas and white beans makes this dish a filling and nutritious option that will please the whole family.
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The Best Greek Salad + Creamy Greek Salad Dressing
Main Ingredients: Garlic, Kosher Salt, Coarsely Ground Black Pepper
This classic Greek salad is a staple in Greek cuisine. It's made with fresh vegetables like tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion, and is topped with kalamata olives and feta cheese. The creamy and tangy Greek salad dressing ties all the flavors together and makes this salad a delicious and healthy option for any meal.
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Greek Lentil Power Bowl
Main Ingredients: Dried Lentils, Water, Non Fat Plain Greek Yogurt, Dill
This nutritious and satisfying bowl is packed with protein and fiber from lentils, quinoa, and vegetables. The addition of avocado and feta cheese add a creamy and salty element to this dish, making it a well-rounded and delicious meal. It's a great option for a plant-based lunch or dinner.
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Greek Egg and Lemon Soup with Chicken, Brown Rice, and...
Main Ingredients: Chicken Broth, Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast
This hearty and comforting soup is a popular dish in Greek cuisine. It's made with chicken, brown rice, and a lemon and egg broth that is both creamy and tangy. It's a great option for a gluten-free and protein-packed meal that will keep you warm and satisfied.
This Greek twist on the classic seven layer dip is a crowd-pleasing appetizer. It's made with layers of hummus, tzatziki, chickpeas, tomatoes, red onion, kalamata olives, and feta cheese. It's a great option for a Mediterranean inspired party or as a pre-dinner snack.
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Chickpea Greek Salad
Main Ingredients: Lemon, Olive Oil, Salt, Black Pepper, Chickpeas, Cherry
This unique and flavorful salad is a great way to incorporate chickpeas into your diet. It's made with chickpeas, cucumber, red onion, and fresh herbs, and is dressed in a lemon and olive oil dressing. The addition of feta cheese adds a salty and creamy element to this dish, making it a well-rounded and satisfying meal.
This classic Greek salad is a must-try for any Mediterranean food lover. It's made with fresh vegetables like tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion, and is topped with kalamata olives and feta cheese. The simple lemon and olive oil dressing lets the flavors of the vegetables shine through and makes this dish a staple in Greek cuisine.
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Greek Spinach with White Beans and Feta
Main Ingredients: Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Sweet Onion, Fresh Garlic
This flavorful and nutritious dish is a great way to incorporate spinach into your diet. The spinach is sautéed with white beans, garlic, and lemon juice, and is topped with feta cheese and fresh herbs. It's a great option for a vegetarian main course or as a side dish for a larger meal.
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Veggie Greek Wrap with Homemade Tzatziki Sauce
Main Ingredients: Chickpeas, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Paprika, Cayenne
This wrap is a delicious and nutritious option for a lunch or light dinner. It's filled with roasted vegetables like eggplant, zucchini, and red bell pepper, and is topped with a homemade tzatziki sauce. It's a great way to add more vegetables to your diet and is a popular option in Greek cuisine.
The Origin of Giant Greek Beans
The history of gigantes plaki can be traced back to ancient Greece, where beans were considered a staple food. They were commonly used in cooking due to their affordability and nutritional value. The name "gigantes plaki" comes from the Greek word "gigas," meaning giant, and "plaki," meaning baked. This dish was traditionally prepared by baking the beans in a clay pot, giving it a unique and rustic flavor.
A Nutritional Powerhouse
Not only are giant Greek beans delicious, but they are also packed with nutrients. They are a great source of plant-based protein, making them an excellent choice for vegetarians and vegans. They are also high in fiber, which is essential for a healthy digestive system. Additionally, they contain a variety of vitamins and minerals, including potassium, iron, and vitamin B6.
A Versatile Ingredient
One of the fantastic things about gigantes plaki is its versatility. While the traditional recipe calls for baking the beans in a tomato sauce, there are many variations and ways to enjoy them. Some people add vegetables like carrots and celery to the sauce, while others top it with feta cheese for an extra burst of flavor. They can also be served as a side dish or used as a filling in vegetarian wraps or sandwiches.
The Recipe
Now that you know the history and benefits of giant Greek beans, it's time to try them for yourself! Here is a simple and authentic recipe that will transport your taste buds to the beautiful streets of Greece.
Ingredients:
1 pound dried giant Greek beans
1 onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 can diced tomatoes
1/4 cup tomato paste
1/4 cup olive oil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup water
Instructions:
Soak the beans overnight in a large bowl of water.
Drain the beans and rinse them before boiling them in a pot of water for 30 minutes.
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
In a separate pan, sauté the onion and garlic in olive oil until translucent.
Add the canned tomatoes, tomato paste, water, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper to the pan and cook for 5 minutes.
In a baking dish, layer the cooked beans and tomato sauce, making sure to cover the beans completely.
Cover the dish with foil and bake for 45 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes.
Enjoy your delicious and nutritious giant Greek beans!
In conclusion, giant Greek beans are a versatile and nutritious ingredient that has been a part of Greek cuisine for centuries. Whether you enjoy them as a main dish or a side, this simple and authentic recipe is sure to become a family favorite. Give it a try and experience the flavors of Greece in your own kitchen. Opa!
Greek Chickpea Soup with Lemon and Olive Oil (Revithia)
