My Big Fat Greek Baked Beans - Food Wishes

[foodwishes]

I'm still sick! Happy, but sick. So, please pardon the sub-par vocals.

[supergeek]

Since acid inhibits bean tenderization, the beans won't get much more tender during the baking phase, with all that acidic tomato and vinegar in there. That's why you need to completely cook them first.

Hack: If you ever screw up and start cooking beans in an acidic environment, and (after 2 hours) realize that they're still tough, *FREEZE* them. Then, once frozen, re-heat. They'll be fine. The freezing breaks down the cell walls, much like cooking, resulting in tender beans.

You're welcome.

[hottubz]

You are the Mediterranean Queen, of your Greek baked beans.

[ksenos]

I must say they look delicious! And a big bravo for making them!
Four things I would add/do to this dish (as a Greek and three of them are from my mama's way of cooking γίγαντες):
1. Double the amount of onions.
2. Put some thin slices of carrot in them (you can use the potato peeler). Carrot does two things in this dish: a. It sweetens it and b. takes the farts out the beans (very important!!!)
3. Sprinkle a bit of flour on top when they're ready and broil them for a few minutes. The micrometer thin crust makes a huge difference!
4. Pour yourself a glass of Ouzo along with them. You'll understand what I'm talking about.



Cheers and get well soon!

[missarielle]

Chef John, I have to thank you for improving my marriage.

My husband has become a true culinary enthusiast because of your videos. We clearly have very similar tastes to you and even dishes with ingredients I am usually skeptical of have come out amazing. He's constantly trying to perfect (and experiment) in the kitchen much to my enjoyment! To further explain your influence, this morning he came over. Took hold of my pinky finger and gave it a tiny wiggle. I gave him a confused look and he announced... "Un petite shaka shaka" We both had a giggle.

[dedebarz]

I just made this recipe with canned Great White Northern beans, and it was very good. The sauce still needs about an hour to cook in order to thicken and develop the right flavor.

[hildamondonedo]

I like to sautee the onions first with garlic and celery. I also add 2 cooked carrots as well and a cup of olive oil goes in while baking. I know this is your version, but you did say they are Greek and we prepare them like mentioned above!

[MrDrivingFaster]

Absolutely authentic Greek recipe. Use veg broth and it is vegan. I am a meat lover, but this is one of the dishes that stands on its own. Search for authentic Greek Giant Beams and Congrats Chef on doing your Greek research homework. Advanced Greek Grandma Tip: when boiling the beans, throw two whole cloves and later discard along with the bay leaves
Tip #2: Add diced carrots

[alekat]

I'm not surprised that chef John made another excellent and accurate Greek recipe. Because ....
He is the best!!!!

[thethbrother]

"Corona bean"
chef john knew

[miljannyjets]

Serbian baked beans recipe is a bit different.
My grandma used to cook 3 different sizes of beans. While the biggest one are cooked, the smallest ones are already dissolved which gives the soup more thickness and no tomato sauce is needed for baking.
On our Orthodox Christmas we serve it with fish fillets 😍😍
However, I have to try this one with feta, dill and honey.
Get well soon, chef John.

[arisgaliatsatos]

As a Greek, i approve.
God that made me hungry

[leyterispap]

being a greek myself, i would like to point out below that u will read as many different recipes for gigantes, as many greek grandma's are still alive... dont debate, thats the beauty...

[kjh]

I’ve made this dish twice this week...it’s absolutely delicious. I was only able to find Jumbo Lima beans...they worked great. Thanks for this recipe.

[FreterP]

My grandma makes this a little differently but I'm sure this also tastes great. While she's boiling the beans she sautés a yellow onion and a carrot, which she chops finely, adds those to the casserole dish with some dried mint and only half the amount of tomato purée and adds the bean cooking water instead of fresh water.

[alkinoosmpoukouras]

In Greece It's illegal to eat Gigantes without feta.

[TSD]

Thank you Chef John for this hearty and very delicious dish. It is -17 in Toronto and we all suffer from winter blues. I'm sure this dish will cheer up my big fat Persian family :)

[nayou]

Hello from Athens, Greece! Yes, these are the best baked beans ever!!!

[vetgarry]

Hi chef John,
Greetings from Ireland.
Having this very tasty looking dish today.
Love your recipes!
A tip you most likely already know to speed up the preparation time of all dried beans in general.
Pour boiling water over them.
Soak them for only one hour in this.
Then cook them in a pressure cooker for only 8~10 min.
Voila!
Kind regards
Garry

[dwaynewladyka]

After all, you are the Mr. Bean, of how you make your bean based Greek cuisine.