Tavce Gravce

Ingredients for 2 servings:

• 400 g beans, white, thick
• 1.2 liters of water
• 2 m.-sized onion(s)
• 2 medium-sized bell peppers, red
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1 tsp, leveled salt
• 1 tsp pepper
• 3 tsp vegetable broth
• 1 tbsp flour
• 1 tbsp, heaped paprika powder, sweet
• 1 tbsp, crushed paprika powder, hot
• 4 tsp olive oil
• 1 pinch(s) of chili flakes or chili powder, optional
• 1 small bunch of parsley
• 1 m.-sized tomato(s)
• 1 small bell pepper(s), green or snack pepper

Instructions

Working time approx. 20 minutes; Rest period approx. 1 day; Cooking/baking time approx. 1 hour 20 minutes; Total time approx. 1 day 1 hour 40 minutes

the classic from Macedonia

The day before, cover the beans thoroughly with water and let them soak. The next day, drain the soaking water and add 1.2 liters of fresh water, bringing to a boil without salt (!). Finely chop the garlic cloves and add them, as well as one of the two onions. Then cut the two trimmed red bell peppers into thirds and add them to the pot. Simmer on low heat for about 60-75 minutes, until the beans are tender. After the cooking time, carefully remove the bell pepper pieces with a spoon and separate the flesh from the skin on a plate. Return the flesh to the pot, discarding the skin. Then, in a small pot, sauté the chopped onion with the olive oil until translucent. Sprinkle the flour over the beans and mix well with a whisk. Add the paprika and the other spices and mix well. There should be no lumps. Add everything to the pot with the beans and season to taste. Now coarsely chop the parsley and add it. Now place the tavce gravce into two clay plates. I personally use ones with a 22 cm diameter. Other sizes or a casserole dish will do, of course. Clean the tomato and the small bell pepper, cut them in half, and decorate the plates. Bake the dish in a preheated oven at 200°C (top/bottom heat) for about 20 minutes. Tavce gravce loosely translates to “baked beans in a pot.” This classic dish is an essential part of Macedonian cuisine. Each region has its own small variations, so feel free to experiment and experiment. 480 kcal per serving.