A Taste of Macedonia: How to Make Traditional Tavche Gravche

Introduction to Tavche Gravche

Tavche Gravche is a traditional Macedonian dish that has been around since the 16th century. It is a comforting bean stew, traditionally eaten during the colder months of the year. This hearty dish is made with butter beans and vegetables, such as dried peppers, garlic and onions, cooked in a savory paprika sauce.

What makes this dish unique is that is is baked in an earthenware pot which gives tavche gravche recognizable traditional look and it keeps the heat for hours.

Ingredients and Preparation Steps

Tavche Gravche is a traditional Macedonian dish, made with beans in paprika sauce. It’s an easy-to-make and nutritious meal that can be served as a side dish or main course.

To make Tavche Gravche you will need:

• two cups of white kidney beans, 
• two onions, 
• two cloves of garlic, 
• 5-6 dried red peppers,
• one tablespoon of oil,
• one teaspoon of paprika, 
• ¼ teaspoon of mint (or dried parsley), 
• ¼ teaspoon of allspice, 
• two bay leaves, 
• salt and pepper to taste.

1. To prepare the dish, begin by soaking the beans overnight. The next day, strain them and rinse with cold water. 
2. In a deep pot, heat up oil and sauté the chopped onions and garlic until golden brown.
3. Add the soaked beans, paprika, dried parsley or mint, allspice, bay leaves, salt and pepper.
4. Give it a good stir and add enough water to cover the beans. Simmer for about 90 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. The beans should be tender when done.
6. Then, transfer the beans in an earthenware container and put to bake in a preheated oven at 220 C degrees (430 F) until browned at top.
7. In cooking, take care that there is neither too much nor too little water. And when baking, be careful not to make it too dry.
8. The earthenware, in addition to giving the dish a recognizable traditional look,  it also keeps the heat for hours.

Serve hot and enjoy!