Yigandes Plaki Baked Beans Tomato Casserole Recipes

GIGANTES PLAKI RECIPE (GIGANDES GREEK BAKED 'GIANT' BEANS)

Steps:

• To prepare the gigantes (Gigsntes) plaki, start by soaking the gigantes beans overnight into plenty of water. Drain them into a colander and rinse with plenty of water.
• Place the gigantes in a large pan with cold water, enough to cover them, add a pinch of sea salt and bring to a boil. Turn the heat down and simmer for 45 minutes, until tender but not cooked. Drain them in a colander and set aside.
• In the meantime, pour into a large baking pan the olive oil, add the chopped onions, the whole garlic clove (peeled) and bake at 180C, until softened and slightly colored (approx. 15 minutes).
• Turn the baking pan out of the oven. Add the gigantes beans (drained), the celery, the parsley, ½ cup of hot water and season with salt and pepper. Put back in the oven and bake for 30 minutes.
• Turn the baking tray out of the oven, blend the gigantes beans lightly with a wooden spoon and pour in the grated tomatoes or plum tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper, add a pinch of oregano and bake the gigantes plaki further for 50-60 minutes at 180C, until the beans are soft and tender and the sauce thickens.
• For an easier alternative, after soaking the gigantes beans overnight, drain and rinse them. Place in a large pan with enough water to cover them and bring to the boil. Boil for 5 minutes, drain them and place into a large baking pan, along with all of the ingredients, cover with some aluminum foil and bake at 180C for approx. 2 hours. The last 30 minutes, bake without the aluminium foil. Enjoy!

YIGANDES PLAKI - GREEK BAKED BEANS & TOMATO CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Add the beans to a pot with enough cold water to cover well. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and cook at a slow boil for 1 hour. Drain and set aside.
• Preheat the oven to 325F (160C).
• Using a wooden spoon, sauté the onion and garlic in the olive oil until soft.
• Add tomatoes (if using canned, add all liquid as well), bouillon cubes, salt, pepper, parsley, and water, and allow to boil gently for 10-30 minutes, until it begins to thicken.
• Place the beans in an oven-proof pan, add tomato mixture, stir and spread mixture out evenly.
• Bake 1 1/2 to 2 hours, or until beans are soft. (Check the dish during cooking and if needed, add a small amount of boiling water.) The dish will look crispy on top.
• Remove from the oven, cover, and allow to cool. Serve warm or at room temperature.
• When using after refrigerating, allow it to come to room temperature, or heat briefly in the microwave. This dish is not served hot.

BAKED TOMATO CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Break bread into pieces and place in buttered 6 x 10 x 2 baking dish.
• In saucepan, combine tomatoes, seasonings, sugar and cornstarch.
• Cook over medium heat until slightly thickened; pour over bread.
• Sprinkle with onion and grated cheese.
• Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.