Greek-style gigantes beans with greens

This vegan dish is jam-packed with the good stuff and the ideal mid-week meal to feed a hungry triathlete

Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 40 mins

Kate Percy

Published: March 2, 2023 at 8:00 am

Good nourishment not only provides benefits such as improved health – gut health, digestion, immune function – but also improved mental wellbeing and mood, family unity and better sleep. And this recipe does all that and then some.

I really do defy anyone not to love these Greek-style gigantes beans with greens – or gigantic beans!

A vegan dish, this is a good source of carbs, protein, manganese, iron, zinc, magnesium, potassium, phosphorous, fibre and antioxidants. Serve on a slice of garlicky sourdough toast for posh beans on toast!

Ingredients

  • 2 x 400g tin of butterbeans, drained
  • 1 large onion, roughly chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 1 stick celery, finely chopped
  • 2-3 tbsps extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tsp sweet paprika
  • 1 tsp brown sugar
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • Pinch ground cinnamon
  • 2 tbsps tomato purée
  • 1 can chopped tomatoes
  • 1 can cherry tomatoes
  • 100g cavolo nero, tough stalks removed
  • Handful flat-leaf parsley and fresh mint, roughly chopped

Methods

  • Step 1

    Preheat the oven to 160°C/140°C Fan/Gas 3. In a large, ovenproof casserole or frying pan with a lid, gently saute the onion, celery and garlic in 1 tbsp olive oil until soft. Stir in the paprika, oregano and cinnamon, then add the beans, tomato purée, the two tins of tomatoes, sugar and season.

  • Step 2

    Bring to the boil, stir well, then reduce the heat to a simmer and cover. Transfer to the oven and cook very gently for 20 minutes. Stir in the cavolo nero, drizzle with the rest of the olive oil and bake in the oven for another 10mins or until soft. If the sauce gets too thick, add a little water.

  • Step 3

    Remove from the oven, check for seasoning, scatter with the fresh herbs and enjoy with a chunky slice of toasted sourdough!

Boost the protein Add chunks of chorizo sausage at step 1, just before you add the beans. 

Kate Percy

Sports nutrition cook and author

Sports nutrition cook and keen amateur athlete Kate Percy set up the #GoFaster campaign in 2009 and, following the publication of several sports nutrition books, now produces a range of all-natural energy balls, Go Bites (www.katepercys.com).
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