Fasole Bătută (Moldovan Bean Spread with Fried Onions)
Local name: Fasole bătută
In short: Creamy mashed white beans beaten with garlic and oil, topped with deeply caramelized onions, a Moldovan fasting-day staple served with pickles. It takes about 1 h 40 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 1 h 25 min
- Resting
- 8 h
- Total
- 1 h 40 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 450 kcal
Fasole bătută, literally beaten beans, is a humble Moldovan classic: white beans simmered until soft, mashed with garlic and oil into a thick purée and topped with a heap of slowly caramelized onions. It is eaten on fasting days, when it is made without any animal products, and on regular days as a side or a main with pickles and bread. Cook the onions patiently until they turn deep golden and sweet, because they give the dish most of its flavor.
Instructions
- Drain the soaked beans, put them in a pot and cover with fresh water by 5 cm (2 in). Add the bay leaf, bring to a boil and simmer partly covered for 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes, until completely soft. Add the salt for the last 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, heat the 3 tablespoons of oil in a wide pan over medium-low heat. Add the onions and the 1/2 teaspoon of salt and cook for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring now and then, until deep golden brown and sweet.
- Drain the beans, keeping 120 ml (1/2 cup) of the cooking liquid, and remove the bay leaf.
- Mash the beans with a potato masher or fork, or pulse them briefly in a food processor. Beat in the garlic, the 2 tablespoons of oil and enough cooking liquid to make a thick, creamy purée. Season with the pepper and taste for salt.
- Spoon the warm purée into a shallow dish and pile the onions and their oil on top. Sprinkle with the paprika if using and serve with pickles and bread.
Tips
- Do not rush the onions. Medium-low heat and patience give sweetness, and a splash of water rescues them if they brown too fast.
- For a smoother purée, blend the beans with a little cooking liquid. For a rustic one, mash by hand.
Questions and answers
Can I use canned beans for fasole bătută?
Yes. Use 2 cans (400 g each), drained, warm them in a pan with a splash of water, then mash with the garlic and oil. It takes about 15 minutes.
How long does fasole bătută keep?
Up to 4 days in the fridge. Reheat it with a splash of water and keep the onions separate until serving.
What do you serve with fasole bătută?
Pickled cucumbers or peppers, sauerkraut and fresh bread are the classic partners. A tomato and onion salad or roasted peppers also go well with it.
How long does it take to make Fasole Bătută (Moldovan Bean Spread with Fried Onions)?
About 1 h 40 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 1 h 25 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Fasole Bătută (Moldovan Bean Spread with Fried Onions)?
About 450 kcal per serving, with 17 g of protein, 55 g of carbohydrates and 18 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 450 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 17 g |
| Carbohydrates | 55 g |
| Fat | 18 g |
| Fiber | 16 g |
| Sugar | 7 g |
| Sodium | 850 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
