Macedonian Cuisine's BEST Kept Secret is Tavche Gravche! - Best Baked Beans

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: sunflower oil

Avocado oil offers healthy fats while sunflower oil is more budget-friendly.

white beans

🥗Healthier: canned beans

💰Cheaper: dried beans

Canned beans save time, while dried beans are often less expensive.

smoked paprika

🥗Healthier: regular paprika

💰Cheaper: cayenne pepper

Regular paprika maintains flavor without the smokiness, and cayenne is often cheaper.

bay leaves

💰Cheaper: dried thyme

Dried thyme can mimic the herbal notes of bay leaves.

Soak white beans in cold water overnight and drain.

Boil the soaked beans in cold water for 5 minutes to remove bad carbs, then drain again.

Heat 2 tsp olive oil in a pan and sauté chopped onion and dried paprika for 7-8 minutes until the onion is glassy.

Add 2 tbsp tomato paste and 2 cups homemade tomato to the pan.

Stir in 1 tsp crushed chili pepper, 1 tsp black pepper, and salt, and cook for 10 minutes.

Combine the cooked beans with the sauce and add enough reserved bean water to fill the baking pot without mashing the beans.

Transfer the mixture to a terra cotta pot for baking.

Bake in the oven at 180°C for about 40 minutes until the edges are crispy.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary