Gigantes Plaki

Ingredients

• 500 g greek butter beans
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large onion
• 2 garlic
• 1 medium carrot
• 1 celery
• 400 g tomatoes
• 1 handful parsley
• 1 handful dill
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 cups water

Instructions

1. 1Pre-soak the Greek butter beans overnight in plenty of water.
2. 2Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
3. 3Drain and rinse the beans, then boil them in fresh water for 40-50 minutes until tender. Drain again.
4. 4In a large oven-proof skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, carrot, and celery. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
5. 5Stir in the crushed tomatoes, half of the parsley, dill, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Add water and bring to a simmer.
6. 6Add the cooked beans to the skillet and stir to combine.
7. 7Cover the skillet with a lid or aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour.
8. 8Remove the cover and bake for an additional 30 minutes to reduce the sauce and slightly caramelize the top.
9. 9Garnish with the remaining parsley and dill before serving.
10. 10Let the dish sit for 10 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld together.
11. 11Serve warm as a hearty and nourishing main course.