Giant Beans with Grape Leaf Pesto

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One of my favorite recipes from Season 1 of My Greek Table. You can make a Greek-inspired pesto with grape leaves and feta, and think of this traditional product well beyond its most famous dish, dolmades! To find some of the artisinal Greek products you'll need to make this, visit my online shop

here, where you'll discover a host of lovingly curated Greek ingredients.

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Giant Beans with Grape Leaf Pesto

By Diane Kochilas

Prep Time 15

Servings

Beans & Pulses, Course, Crete, Main Courses, My Greek Table, Recipes, Season #1

Prep Time 15

Servings

Beans & Pulses, Course, Crete, Main Courses, My Greek Table, Recipes, Season #1

Ingredients

6 cups cooked Greek giant beans* about 2 cups raw
2 cups trimmed baby arugula
1 cup chopped fresh parsley
4 scallions trimmed and finely chopped
Grated zest of one lemon
For the pesto
12 brined grape leaves drained, blanched and trimmed
1 cup fresh mint leaves
4 garlic cloves peeled and chopped
2/3 cup toasted pine nuts or toasted blanched almonds
Salt and pepper to taste
2/3 cup extra virgin Greek olive oil or more as needed
* To cook the beans soak them overnight then boil. Remove when tender but al dente and drain.

Instructions

Rough-chop the grape leaves and place in a food processor with blade attachment. Place the mint or arugula garlic and nuts in the bowl of the processor, too. Pulse until the mixture is a dense paste. Gradually add olive oil, until the resulting sauce is thick but liquid. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Combine the beans, arugula, chopped parsley, scallions and lemon zest in a serving bowl. Serve immediately.

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Visit my online shop for a wide selection of Greek single-origin artisanal foods, from honeys to wild herbs, olives, olive oils, pistachios, heirloom grain products, fruit preserves and more.

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Diane Kochilas is one of the world’s foremost experts on Greek and Mediterranean cuisine. She is the host, creator and co-producer of My Greek Table, the award-winning 13-episode per season cooking-travel show about Greece that airs nationally on Public Television. The series is in its third season.

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Giant Beans with Grape Leaf Pesto