This traditional Greek baked lima bean recipe with added veggies is a one stop meal. Gigantes plaki is loaded with protein, perfect for all ages and so flavorful!
The next day, drain the beans and add enough fresh water to cover them. Cook over low heat until half tender, about 30 minutes, drain, and save the broth.
Preheat oven to 350°F/180°C
In a large pot sauté the onions in veggie broth or olive oil for 2-3 minutes until they begins to get translucent.
Add the garlic, carrots, celery, spinach and/or Swiss chard and sauté for a couple more minutes.
Add beans and mix well.
Add tomatoes, salt and pepper and sauté for another minute. Then add parsley and mix well.
Add enough reserved broth from the beans to barely cover them. If you don’t have enough reserved broth, then use water for the rest (you can also use extra veggie broth).
Cook over medium heat for 15 minutes stirring, occasionally. Add more broth if needed. You don’t want it to get too dry.
Transfer to a 9 x 12 glass baking dish, cover with tin foil and bake for 30 minutes, or until beans are tender and liquid has evaporated.
Uncover and bake for an additional 10 minutes.
Serve hot!
Notes
If you can’t find lima beans, you can also use corona beans.
You can also use canned/boxed/jarred tomatoes instead of fresh if you prefer. The taste will change a bit, but it will still work.
Some tips if your beans are not softening:
It could be that the beans are old, the older they are the harder it is to get them to soften so make sure to use within a year. If they have wrinkled skin they are too old.
Hard or well water makes it harder for your beans to cook to soft.
You can try adding about ¼ teaspoon of baking soda to your water to help soften them. Or add about 1 tablespoon to the soaking water and rinse them well after they soak.
Tips to prep ahead:
Wash and soak the beans, chop veggies and parsley.
Baby/toddler food idea:.
Great baby and toddler food. For babies puree as needed for age. Add liquid of choice to thin out if needed.