Gigantes plaki — Greek giant beans baked in the oven with tomato sauce

An easy, classic recipe of Greek cuisine: giant butter beans slowly baked in a fragrant tomato sauce, served with fresh bread and a drizzle of olive oil.

Ingredients (4–6 servings):

• 500 g dried white giant beans (gigantes or plaki beans)
• 2 medium onions, thinly sliced
• 3 garlic cloves, crushed
• 400 g chopped tomatoes (fresh or canned)
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 120 ml extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp sugar
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley for serving

Preparation steps:

1. Soak the beans in cold water for 8–12 hours (overnight).
2. Rinse and boil for 30–40 minutes until softened, then drain.
3. Preheat the oven to 180°C. In a large pan, sauté the onion in the olive oil for 5 minutes, then add the garlic for 1 minute.
4. Add the tomato paste, chopped tomatoes, oregano, sugar, salt and pepper; simmer for 10 minutes.
5. Place the beans in a clay or ceramic baking dish, pour the sauce over and add hot water to cover.
6. Bake for 45–60 minutes until the sauce thickens and the beans are creamy; stir once halfway through baking.
7. Let the dish rest for 10 minutes before serving; serve with fresh bread and a little olive oil on top.

Preparation time: 15 minutes (+12 hours soaking) | Cooking time: about 1 hour 30 minutes | Servings: 4–6