Gigantes plaki facts for kids
Gigantes plaki is a yummy Greek dish. It's also known as Greek giant baked beans. This dish uses large white beans baked in a tasty tomato sauce. You can enjoy Gigantes plaki as a main meal or as a small appetizer called a meze. The special beans used are called fasolia gigantes, which means 'giant beans'. They are a type of scarlet runner bean.
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How to Make Gigantes Plaki
This dish is made with dried giant runner beans. These are the fasolia gigantes beans. Other main ingredients include tomatoes, onions, olive oil, parsley, and carrots. Sometimes, people use large lima beans instead of runner beans.
Ingredients for Gigantes
Some recipes might add other vegetables like garlic or celery. This dish is naturally vegan, which means it has no meat or animal products. This makes it perfect for Orthodox Christian fast days. However, sometimes people add sausage or smoked pork for extra flavor.
Cooking Steps
First, the beans are soaked in water. Then, they are boiled until they become soft. Next, the onions and other aromatic vegetables are lightly cooked in oil. This is called sautéing or making a sofrito. This mix is then added to the beans. Finally, the beans are baked in the oven until the top layer turns golden brown. You can eat Gigantes plaki warm or at room temperature.
How to Serve Gigantes Plaki
Gigantes plaki is often served as part of a meze platter. A meze is a collection of small dishes, like appetizers. It can also be served as a main meal on its own. This dish is especially popular during the cooler months, like autumn and winter. People often enjoy Gigantes with feta cheese and fresh bread.
