Tavče Gravče (Macedonian Baked Beans)
Local name: Тавче гравче
In short: Large white beans baked in a clay dish with onion, paprika and mint until the sauce thickens and the top forms a crusty edge. It takes about 2 h 20 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 2 h
- Resting
- 8 h
- Total
- 2 h 20 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 300 kcal
Tavče gravče, beans in a pan, is the dish most people name as the national dish of North Macedonia. Large white beans are simmered until tender, then baked in a clay dish or heavy pan with onion, sweet paprika, mint and oil until the sauce reduces and the top turns crusty. It is eaten as a main course, usually with a salad of tomatoes or pickled peppers, and it is a staple of fasting days.
Instructions
- Drain the soaked beans and put them in a pot with half the onions and the bay leaf. Cover with fresh water by 5 cm (2 in), bring to a boil and simmer partly covered for 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes, until nearly tender. Add the salt for the last 10 minutes.
- Heat the oven to 200°C (400°F).
- Drain the beans, keeping 300 ml (1 1/4 cups) of the cooking liquid, and remove the bay leaf. Heat the oil in a pan over medium heat and cook the remaining onions for 8 minutes, until soft and golden. Take the pan off the heat, then stir in the paprika, which scorches quickly, and the mint.
- Combine the beans and the onion mixture in a clay dish or a 25 cm (10 in) ovenproof dish. Pour in about 250 ml (1 cup) of the reserved liquid so it barely covers the beans, and add the hot pepper if using.
- Bake uncovered for 35 to 45 minutes, stirring once after 20 minutes, until the sauce is thick and the top is crusty at the edges. Add a little more liquid if it looks dry.
- Rest for 10 minutes, sprinkle with parsley and serve with a tomato salad or pickled peppers.
Tips
- Use the biggest white beans you can find, such as gigantes. Small beans turn to mush in the oven.
- Do not stir during the last 20 minutes. The crusty top is the best part.
Questions and answers
Can I use canned beans for tavče gravče?
Yes. Use 3 cans (400 g each), drained and rinsed, and 250 ml (1 cup) of water. Skip the boiling and bake for 25 to 30 minutes.
Can I make tavče gravče ahead of time?
Yes. It keeps for 4 days in the fridge and tastes even better reheated. Add a splash of water, cover and warm it at 180°C (350°F) for 20 minutes.
Is tavče gravče spicy?
Not usually. The paprika is sweet, and any heat comes from a dried hot pepper that you can leave out or add to taste.
How long does it take to make Tavče Gravče (Macedonian Baked Beans)?
About 2 h 20 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 2 h of cooking.
How many calories are in Tavče Gravče (Macedonian Baked Beans)?
About 300 kcal per serving, with 15 g of protein, 44 g of carbohydrates and 7 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 300 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 15 g |
| Carbohydrates | 44 g |
| Fat | 7 g |
| Fiber | 15 g |
| Sugar | 5 g |
| Sodium | 500 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
