Styrian “gigantes” (Scarlet Runner Bean Casserole)

May 08, 2023May 8, 20230 4

Styrian gigantes - a flavorful and hearty bean casserole

Styrian “gigantes” (Scarlet Runner Bean Casserole)

by The Chefin Beans

Prep

10 min

Cook

2 hours

Ready In

2 hours, 10 min

Level

Easy

Rating

Ingredients

	300 g scarlet runner beans ( dry or 400g canned )
	100 ml olive oil
	1 onion ( white , large )
	3 garlic cloves ( minced )
	4 tomatoes ( fresh or 1 large can tomatoes without juice )
	salt and pepper

Nutrision Information

Servings Per Recipe

4-6

Calories

270

Sugar

Fat

18g

Styrian gigantes, or Scarlet Runner Bean Casserole, is a traditional dish from the Styria region of Austria. Typically made with dried scarlet runner beans, this casserole is cooked low and slow in a savory tomato and olive oil sauce until the beans are tender and flavorful. The beans have a meaty texture when cooked, making them a good substitute for meat in vegetarian and vegan dishes. This dish is perfect for a cool fall day or a cozy night in with friends and family.

Instructions

1.	If using dry beans, soak them overnight in a bowl of water. Drain and rinse the beans. If using canned beans, drain and rinse them.
2.	In a large pot, sauté the onion and garlic in olive oil until soft.
3.	Add in the tomatoes and cook until they break down and form a sauce.
4.	Add the beans, salt, and pepper, and stir.
5.	Add enough water to the pot to cover the beans.
6.	Simmer the beans on low heat for 1-2 hours, or until the beans are tender and the liquid has reduced to a thick, rich sauce. Add more water if necessary to prevent the beans from sticking to the bottom of the pot.

PROS

Styrian gigantes is a flavorful and hearty dish that is perfect as a main meal or side dish.

It is packed with protein and fiber from the beans and healthy monounsaturated fats from the olive oil.

Perfect for a healthy vegetarian/vegan diet.

CONS

Styrian gigantes can take up to 2 hours to cook, so plan ahead.

The dish can be quite high in sodium if you don’t control the salt amount added.

If you opt for canned beans, they can be high in preservatives and sodium.

HEALTH & BENEFITS

Scarlet runner beans contain high amounts of healthy fiber, which can help aid in digestion and improve heart health.
They are also a good source of protein, which is essential for cell growth and repair.
The olive oil in this recipe is a healthy fat that can help lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease.