| Prep: 20 mins | Cook: 120 mins – 160 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 324 | 6g | 0.7g | 56g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 2g | 15g | 20g | 0.51g |
Why I Love Romanian Mashed Beans with Garlic
As a dedicated food writer with an all-embracing love for both local and international cuisines, one of my favorite global dishes is a Romanian recipe – Mashed Beans with Garlic. This dish, enmeshed in the culinary delicacy of Eastern Europe, comes with an unexampled blend of simple yet distinctive flavors that bring an irresistible savor to the tongue.
A Homely Comfort Dish
This Mashed Beans with Garlic recipe reminds me of comfort food we have right here in New England. Much like a bowl of creamy clam chowder to a Mainer, this heartwarming dish brings warmth and comfort to the Romanians. Its recipe has been passed down through generations, harboring tales of familial love and comfort. While the essence of my cooking revolves around New England seafood, dishes like these give me a delightful divergence into the diverse world of global gastronomy.
An Ode to Romanian Cuisine
The delightful Mashed Beans with Garlic is an emblem of Romanian culinary tradition. The customary use of garlic and paprika gives it a distinctive flavor profile, impressing anyone with a penchant for savory delicacies. As Romanian cuisine is often underappreciated, dishes like these get an opportunity to rightly showcase its richness and diversity. If cuisine is a form of art, then this recipe tops the chart with its simplicity and taste.
For those who are intrigued by the uniqueness of this dish, its preparation is largely similar to that of canned beans recipes. Moreover, the taste of this recipe can be fancied as a cross between White Bean and Garlic Soup and Refried Beans.
This recipe is also akin to the comfort food prepared by beloved chef, Jamie Oliver, who is known to incorporate simple, wholesome ingredients into his recipes to create extraordinary flavors, much like this Romanian staple. Jamie’s side dish recipes are a great inspiration for anyone aiming to explore international cuisine using everyday ingredients.
The Mashed Beans with Garlic recipe is a versatile dish that can be paired with a variety of mains. It is a perfect side for a hearty barbecue or a simple roasted chicken. The dish is also suitable for a vegetarian meal, making it a hit among vegetarians as well.
Hoping you enjoy this foray into Romanian cuisine as much as I enjoy sharing these diverse dishes. Always remember, great food transcends borders and unites hearts. Happy cooking!
What You’ll Need
Method
Step One
Place the dried white beans in a large bowl or pot and cover with water. Let them soak overnight, or for at least 8 hours. This will help them to cook faster and become more digestible.
Step Two
Drain and rinse the soaked beans. Transfer them to a large pot and add 10 cups of water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer.
Step Three
Slice off the top of the head of garlic to expose the cloves, leave the skin on. Add it to the pot with the beans, along with 2 bay leaves. You can also add some salt at this point.
Step Four
Cook the beans on low heat for about 2 hours, or until they are soft and fully cooked. Make sure to stir occasionally to prevent the beans from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
Step Five
Once the beans are cooked, remove from heat. Fish out the bay leaves and garlic. Allow the beans to cool for a few minutes, then transfer them to a food processor or high-powered blender.
Step Six
Add a head of roasted garlic, sunflower oil, paprika, and season with salt and pepper. Blend until smooth. If the mixture is too thick, add a little bit of the cooking water until you reach the desired consistency.
Step Seven
Transfer the mashed beans to a serving dish and drizzle with a little bit more sunflower oil. Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley for garnish. Serve it warm as a main dish or side dish.
