Prebranac – Serbian Baked Beans Recipe for 6 People
Ingredients:
- 500g (about 2 1/2 cups) dried white beans (such as Great Northern beans or cannellini beans)
- 2 onions, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 liter (4 cups) vegetable or chicken broth
- Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Beans:
- Rinse the dried white beans under cold water and soak them in a large bowl of water overnight, or for at least 8 hours.
2. Cook the Beans:
- Drain the soaked beans and transfer them to a large pot.
- Cover the beans with fresh water and bring to a boil over high heat.
- Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 1 hour, or until the beans are tender but not mushy. Drain and set aside.
3. Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
4. Prepare the Onion Mixture:
- In a large skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat.
- Add the finely chopped onions and minced garlic, and sauté until softened and golden brown, about 5-7 minutes.
5. Season and Combine:
- Stir in the tomato paste, sweet paprika, dried thyme, salt, and pepper, and cook for another 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
- Add the cooked beans to the skillet and toss to coat them evenly with the onion mixture.
6. Bake:
- Transfer the bean and onion mixture to a baking dish. Place the bay leaf on top.
- Pour the vegetable or chicken broth over the beans until they are just covered.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until the beans are soft and the liquid has thickened.
7. Serve:
- Remove the bay leaf from the Prebranac before serving.
- Garnish with chopped fresh parsley, if desired.
- Serve hot as a side dish or a main course with crusty bread.
Enjoy your delicious homemade Prebranac!
Feel free to adjust the seasoning according to your taste preferences.