White beans-piyaz
White beans piyaz is a cherished dish often enjoyed here on Mount Athos, particularly during fasting periods, where it serves as a nourishing and satisfying option for both Orthodox monks and vegetarians. This hearty salad combines tender white beans with flavorful herbs and spices, creating a wholesome and fulfilling meal that aligns with dietary restrictions. Celebrated for its simplicity and robust flavor, white beans piyaz exemplifies the culinary traditions of Mount Athos while offering a delicious and nutritious choice for those observing fasting practices or following a vegetarian diet.
We soak our beans from the night before.
In the morning, we strain them and put them in cold water on the fire.
After they boil a few times, we strain them again.
We have ready hot water with a little salt where we pour the beans.
We put them to boil.
When they "pop", we take them down and strain them.
We beat lemon oil and pour over them.
We mix the rest and garnish.
The cooking time may vary depending on the time we boil our beans.
The recipe can be made with oil, tahini or oil. If we make them without oil, we omit the oil and make a sauce with lemon and tahini (2-3 spoons of tahini with a little salt).
We make sure our beans are suitable for boiling and do not have a thick skin.
