17 Italian Gigante Beans Recipe Discover Culinary Perfection!
Published on: Mar 15, 2024
If you're looking for a hearty and nutritious meal that is also bursting with flavor, look no further than this Italian gigante beans recipe. These large, creamy white beans are a staple in Italian cuisine and are known for their satisfying texture and ability to absorb flavors. In this article, we will guide you through the steps to create a delicious and authentic Italian dish using gigante beans as the star ingredient.
Main Ingredients: Gigante Beans, Bay Leaves, Coarse Salt, Ground Pepper
Gigante beans, also known as elephant beans, are a large, creamy-white bean that is native to Greece. These beans are a staple in Greek cuisine and are often used in traditional dishes such as Greek baked beans and Greek-style gigantes beans with feta. The size and texture of these beans make them perfect for hearty and filling dishes, making them a popular choice for comfort food.
2of 20
Gigante Bean Salad
Main Ingredients: Leaves, Gigante Beans, Dried Tomatoes, Dressing, Basil
If you're looking for a healthy and flavorful way to enjoy gigante beans, try making a gigante bean salad. This salad is typically made with a mix of vegetables, herbs, and a simple vinaigrette dressing. The gigante beans add a satisfying and creamy texture to the salad, making it a delicious and nutritious meal option. You can also add some protein, like grilled chicken or shrimp, to make it a complete meal.
3of 20
Pizza Beans / Tomato and Gigante Bean Bake
Main Ingredients: Olive Oil, Large Onion, Celery Stalks, Carrots, Salt
For a unique twist on a classic dish, try making pizza beans or a tomato and gigante bean bake. This dish combines the flavors of pizza with the heartiness of gigante beans for a delicious and filling meal. The beans are cooked in a tomato-based sauce and topped with your favorite pizza toppings, such as pepperoni, mushrooms, and cheese. It's a fun and tasty way to enjoy gigante beans.
4of 20
Spanish Gigante Bean Salad
Main Ingredients: Gigante Beans, Bay Leaf, Fresh Thyme, Garlic, Shallots
Gigante beans are also popular in Spanish cuisine, and one of the best ways to enjoy them is in a Spanish gigante bean salad. This salad is made with a mix of fresh vegetables, such as tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers, and tossed with a simple dressing. The gigante beans add a creamy and satisfying element to the salad, making it a perfect side dish or light lunch option.
5of 20
Gigante Global Pulse Day Soup
Main Ingredients: Gigantes, Water, Garlic Cloves, Bay Leaf, Red Pepper
Global Pulse Day is celebrated on February 10th and is a day dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of pulses in our diets. Pulses, like gigante beans, are a great source of protein and other essential nutrients. To celebrate this day, try making a gigante global pulse day soup. This soup is a hearty and flavorful dish that is perfect for a cold winter day. It's also great for meal prep and can be easily stored and reheated for a quick and nutritious meal.
6of 20
Gigante Beans a la Zaytinya
Main Ingredients: Giant White Beans, Olive Oil, Purple Onion, Garlic
Zaytinya is a popular restaurant in Washington, D.C., that specializes in Mediterranean cuisine. One of their signature dishes is gigante beans a la Zaytinya, which is a flavorful and creamy bean dish made with gigante beans, tomatoes, and herbs. This dish is perfect as a side dish or can be served as a main course with some warm pita bread for dipping.
7of 20
Pressure Cooker Vegetable Soup with Giant White Beans,...
Main Ingredients: Giant White Beans, Water, Bay Leaves, Garlic Cloves
If you're short on time but still want to enjoy a delicious and nutritious meal, try making a pressure cooker vegetable soup with giant white beans. This soup is made with a mix of vegetables, like carrots, celery, and onions, and gigante beans, which add protein and a creamy texture to the soup. The pressure cooker cuts the cooking time in half, making it a quick and easy meal option for busy weeknights.
8of 20
Butter beans, Lima beans, and Fava beans
Main Ingredients: Giant White Beans, Parsley, Green Onions, Cherry
Gigante beans are often compared to other large beans, like butter beans, lima beans, and fava beans. These beans are all similar in size and texture and can be used interchangeably in recipes. If you can't find gigante beans, feel free to substitute them with one of these other beans for similar results.
9of 20
Greek-Style Gigantes Beans with Feta
Main Ingredients: Gigantes, Water, Kosher Salt, Virgin Olive Oil, Garlic
One of the most popular ways to enjoy gigante beans is in a Greek-style dish with feta cheese. This dish is made with a mix of vegetables, like tomatoes and onions, and cooked with gigante beans and topped with crumbled feta cheese. The feta adds a tangy and salty flavor to the dish, making it a perfect combination with the creamy and hearty gigante beans.
10of 20
Quick & Easy Italian Three-Bean Salad
Main Ingredients: S W Garbanzo Beans, S W Kidney Beans, S W White Beans
If you're looking for a simple and healthy dish to make, try an Italian three-bean salad with gigante beans. This salad is made with a mix of gigante beans, kidney beans, and white beans, and tossed with a zesty Italian dressing. It's a refreshing and satisfying salad that can be enjoyed as a side dish or a light lunch option.
Greek baked beans, also known as fasolakia plaki, is a traditional Greek dish made with gigante beans and a rich and flavorful tomato sauce. The gigante beans are cooked until perfectly tender and then baked in the oven with the sauce until they are infused with all the delicious flavors. It's a hearty and delicious dish that can be enjoyed as a main course or as a side dish.
12of 20
Sausage And Beans Skillet
Main Ingredients: Chicken Sausages, Gigante Beans, Canned Whole Tomatoes
If you're looking for a hearty and satisfying one-pan meal, try making a sausage and beans skillet with gigante beans. This dish combines the flavors of Italian sausage, tomatoes, and gigante beans for a delicious and filling meal. It's a great dish to make for a family dinner or a crowd-pleasing dish for a potluck or party.
13of 20
Pressure’s On! Greek-Style Instant Pot Gigantes Beans
Main Ingredients: Gigantes, Water, Kosher Salt, Extra Virgin Olive Oil
The Instant Pot has revolutionized the way we cook, and it's also a handy tool for making gigante beans. With the pressure cooking function, you can have tender and creamy gigante beans in a fraction of the time it takes to cook them on the stovetop. Try making Greek-style instant pot gigantes beans for a quick and delicious meal option.
14of 20
Big Greek Beans baked in a Bodacious Red Sauce
Main Ingredients: Gigantes, Water, Sweet Onion, Large Carrots, Garlic
For a bold and flavorful dish, try making big Greek beans baked in a bodacious red sauce. This dish is made with a mix of gigante beans, tomatoes, and herbs, and baked in a rich and tangy sauce. It's a perfect dish to make for a dinner party or special occasion.
15of 20
Russian Salad with Beets, Pickles, Beans and Carrots...
Main Ingredients: Diced Pickles, Carrots, Beets, Gigante Beans, Dill
Russian salad, also known as Olivier salad, is a traditional Russian dish that is often served during holidays and celebrations. This salad is made with a mix of vegetables, including beets, pickles, beans, and carrots, and tossed with a creamy dressing. The gigante beans add a unique and delicious twist to this classic dish.
16of 20
Herbed Corona Beans + Marinated Mushrooms on Garlic...
Main Ingredients: Gigante Beans, Shallot, Bay Leaves, Salt, Anchovy
Corona beans, also known as borlotti beans, are a large Italian bean that is similar in size and texture to gigante beans. These beans are often used in traditional Italian dishes, such as herbed corona beans + marinated mushrooms on garlic crostini. The combination of the creamy beans with the tangy and flavorful marinated mushrooms is a match made in heaven.
17of 20
Gigante Bean Meze'
Main Ingredients: Giant White Beans, Shallots, Flat Leaf Parsley
In Greek cuisine, a meze is a selection of small dishes that are served as appetizers or snacks. Gigante bean meze is a popular choice and is made with gigante beans that are cooked in a flavorful tomato sauce and served with warm pita bread for dipping. It's a great addition to any meze platter and is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
18of 20
One-pot Vegetable Morrocan Stew with cilantro crema...
Main Ingredients: Gigante Beans, Sesame Oil, Onion, Garlic Cloves, Stock
For a flavorful and exotic dish, try making a one-pot vegetable Moroccan stew with cilantro crema. This stew is made with a mix of vegetables, including gigante beans, and a blend of Moroccan spices for a unique and delicious flavor. The cilantro crema adds a creamy and refreshing element to the dish, making it a perfect combination with the bold and hearty stew.
19of 20
Ghee-Roasted Carrots & Lentils with Smoky Green Sauce
Main Ingredients: Carrots, Ghee, Sauce, Green Lentils, Giant White Beans
For a vegetarian twist on a traditional meat and bean dish, try making ghee-roasted carrots and lentils with smoky green sauce. This dish is made with roasted carrots, lentils, and gigante beans, and topped with a flavorful and smoky green sauce. It's a great dish for a vegetarian dinner or for anyone looking to incorporate more plant-based meals into their diet.
20of 20
Tomato and Gigante Bean Bake / Pizza Beans
Main Ingredients: Olive Oil, Large Onion, Celery Stalks, Carrots, Salt
Another delicious way to enjoy gigante beans is in a tomato and gigante bean bake, also known as pizza beans. This dish is made with a mix of tomatoes, herbs, and gigante beans and baked in the oven until the beans are perfectly tender and the flavors are fully infused. It's a hearty and flavorful dish that is perfect for a family dinner or a potluck gathering.
Why Choose Gigante Beans?
Gigante beans, also known as "giant white beans" or "elephant beans," are a variety of white beans that are native to Italy. These beans are larger than the typical white beans and have a creamy texture when cooked. They are packed with protein, fiber, and essential vitamins and minerals, making them a nutritious addition to any meal. Gigante beans are also incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes, from soups and stews to salads and dips. So, why not give these giant beans a try in this delicious Italian recipe?
The Secret Ingredient: Tomatoes
One of the key ingredients in this Italian gigante beans recipe is the use of fresh, ripe tomatoes. Tomatoes are a staple in Italian cooking and add a vibrant color and tangy flavor to the dish. They are also packed with antioxidants and vitamins, making them a healthy addition to this dish. To bring out the full flavor of the tomatoes, we recommend using fresh tomatoes instead of canned. However, if fresh tomatoes are not available, canned tomatoes can also be used.
Adding Depth with Herbs and Spices
To elevate the flavor profile of this dish, we will be using a combination of herbs and spices. The use of rosemary, thyme, and oregano adds a savory and earthy element to the dish, while garlic and onion add depth and aroma. Red pepper flakes can also be added for a touch of heat. These ingredients work together to create a rich and complex flavor that will have your taste buds dancing.
Serving Suggestions
This Italian gigante beans recipe can be served as a main dish or as a side dish. For a complete meal, we recommend pairing it with crusty Italian bread and a fresh salad. You can also add some pasta or rice to make it a heartier meal. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge and reheated for a quick and easy lunch or dinner option. The flavors will continue to develop and intensify, making it even more delicious the next day.
In Conclusion
In summary, this Italian gigante beans recipe is a must-try for any fan of Italian cuisine. The combination of gigante beans, fresh tomatoes, and a variety of herbs and spices creates a flavorful and nutritious dish that will leave you wanting more. So, gather your ingredients and get ready to impress your family and friends with this delicious and authentic Italian dish. Bon appétit!
