I decided to keep the original name of the recipe instead of translating it, as it is a brand just as the meal itself. It literally means "pan with beans", featuring Tetovo beans, recognized as one of the best in the region. Essentially, it is kind of roasted beans. But it's not "just beans". If you order tavche gravche in some Macedonian restaurant or if your Macedonian hosts prepare some for you, you'll get a deliciousness served in earthenware pots, creamy and succulent core hidden beneath a tiny browned crust. And you can choose between two versions: posno (lit. fasting; basically vegan) or mrsno (lit. fatty; basically containing meat). Smoked ribs, barbecue sausages or smoked bacon are the three possible ingredients for the meat version (you'll need only one!) As a matter of fact, I prefer the meatless version, and not because I am vegan, but simply because I like it much better. I will, however, show you how to prepare both version so you can see which one do you enjoy more. I should mention that this time I cooked for a family gathering, so I used one big baking pan instead of many small single-serving dishes.
You'll need the following ingredients to prepare 6 servings:
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Directions:
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3. Heat oil into a deep pan and add onions. Cook over medium fire, stirring often, until soft. Add sliced sausages (if using) and cook for a couple more minutes until they start browning.
4. Then, add garlic and paprika, stir and add drained beans (and meat from the ribs) right away. Season with some salt and pepper to taste, and add pepper flakes.
5. Divide the mixture between separate baking pots or transfer it into a single big baking pan. Now, gently pour in some of the water they cooked in, enough to barely cover the beans. Sprinkle with some dried mint on top and it's ready to go in the oven!
6. Bake into a preheated oven at 250°C until it gets a brown crust on the top and about half of the liquid vapors.
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Note: As I said, if you choose the meat version, you'll need only one meat ingredient - ribs or sausages. Ribs need to be cooked together with beans, then bones removed, and meat is added into the pan with onions.
Sausages, on the other hand, don't need to be boiled. You simply add them into the onions and fry them for a couple of minutes. Enjoy and bon appétit! |