Tavče gravče or Fasoulotavas is a national dish of Macedonia prepared from white beans traditionally baked on a wooden oven with other vegetables. It is great vegan meal that can be served as a main or as a side dish to any meal. This meal is baked and served in a traditional unglazed earthenware pot.

Tavče Gravče
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Tavče Gravče

Tavče gravče is a national dish of Macedonia prepared from white beans traditionally baked on a wooden oven with other vegetables.
Prep Time30 mins
Cook Time4 hrs
Total Time4 hrs 30 mins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: North Macedonia
Keyword: beans
Servings: 6

Ingredients

  • 1 cup dry white beans
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • 3 red onions, sliced
  • 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 4 garlic cloves
  • 2 green chili peppers, finely chopped
  • 2 red bell peppers, sliced
  • 3 onions , sliced
  • 2 yellow bell peppers, sliced
  • 1 tbsp paprika
  • ½ bunch cilantro
  • 1 cup sunflower oil
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • A few mint leave
  • Salt
  • black pepper

Instructions

  • Wash and soak the beans, and leave them to stay in water over night. for 6 hours in boiling water and ½ teaspoon of baking soda.
  • Place a pot on the stove turn it on high heat and bring it to boiling, then drain it and replace it with another hot water.
  • You can use a stew-pot to sauté 2 garlic cloves in a 1/4 of the oil.
  • Then add one chili pepper, half of the paprika, a few slices of colorful peppers, transfer the beans and ⅓ of chili powder. Season with salt and cover and cook on medium-high heat for about 2 hours or until soft and creamy.
  • Keep checking on the beans, stir often, and keep adding warm water as needed. When the beans are cooked, drain the liquid from the beans and set aside for use later.
  • Sauté the onions, quarter oil, add salt, chili powder and the flour and simmer for 10 minutes.
  • Sauté the last cloves of garlic, oil, the rest of of bell peppers, with paprika, and chili pepper for 15 minutes.
  • Preheat oven at 210F and transfer the beans into a baking dish or earthenware pot, but add beans last - add all the sauté parts as layers.
  • bake the bean mixture in the oven at 400F for 30 minutes or until thick. Let beans cool and serve with pita bread, or sourdough.In an earthenware pot or a glass baking dish, add the fourth quarter of the oil in the bottom.
  • Pour on top the reserved cooking liquid and bake for 3 hours.
  • When ready sprinkle chopped cilantro and mint on top

Inspiration and adaptation: thefoodhog.com, pulses.org, fandom.com

Explore other recipes from the traditional North Macedonian cuisine.

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