🌶️ Hot paprika or chili flakes (optional): 1–2 g (¼–½ tsp / 0.04–0.07 oz)
🍅 Tomato paste: 30 g (2 tbsp / 1.1 oz)
🌿 Bay leaves: 2
🧂 Salt: to taste (≈8 g / 1½ tsp)
⚫ Freshly ground black pepper: 1 g (½ tsp / 0.04 oz)
💧 Water or vegetable stock (for simmering): 1.2–1.4 l (5–6 cups)
Finish & serve
🫒 Extra oil for drizzling (optional): 10 ml (2 tsp / 0.34 fl oz)
🌿 Chopped parsley, to finish: 1 tbsp (4 g / 0.14 oz)
🍞 Crusty bread or lepinja, to serve: as needed
Preparation
1️⃣ Soak & parboil: Soak beans overnight; drain. Cover with fresh water, add 1 bay leaf, bring to a boil, then simmer 35–45 min until just tender. Drain (reserve 2 cups cooking liquid).
2️⃣ Onion base: Warm oil in a skillet. Cook onions with a pinch of salt on medium 12–15 min until soft and lightly golden. Add garlic 1 min. Stir in sweet (and hot) paprika to bloom 30 sec, then tomato paste 1 min.
3️⃣ Combine: In a baking dish (about 2 l), layer half the beans, spread half the onion mixture, then remaining beans and onions. Tuck in the second bay leaf.
4️⃣ Moisten & season: Pour in 400–500 ml (1¾–2 cups) reserved cooking liquid/stock to barely cover. Season with salt and pepper; drizzle a little oil.
5️⃣ Bake: Bake uncovered at 190°C / 375°F for 35–45 min until the top is set, edges caramelized, and liquid thick and creamy.
6️⃣ Finish: Rest 10 min. Sprinkle parsley and serve warm with bread. Even better the next day.
Total Time
🕒 Prep: 20 min
🔥 Cook: 1 h 30 min
⏳ Total: 1 h 50 min
Nutritional Value
🔋 Energy: ~260 kcal
💪 Protein: ~11 g
🧈 Fat: ~9 g
🍞 Carbohydrates: ~36 g
🧂 Sodium: ~420 mg
Advice
Let paprika bloom briefly in oil off the direct heat—red color stays vivid and flavor turns sweet, not bitter.
Why it works
Slow oven time reduces the bean liquor and onions into a starchy emulsion; paprika and tomato paste bring sweetness and umami while baking creates caramelized edges for depth.
Twist
Smoky pepper: Add ½ tsp smoked paprika and a few roasted red pepper strips into the top layer.
Herb lift: Stir in 1 tsp dried thyme or summer savory with the onions.
Bean swap: Use butter beans (lima) for extra-creamy texture or mix with chickpeas for nuttiness.
Status
Comfort in a casserole—Prebranac is the Balkan vegan classic you’ll meal-prep on repeat. #grannyzen #balkanfasting 🫘🇷🇸
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