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Ghiveci
Ghiveci: Romanian oven-baked stew of mixed vegetables, peppers and tomato
Ghiveci is the Romanian answer to a late-summer glut, made in August and September and often bottled for winter, and it is a mainstay on Orthodox fasting days because it contains no animal products. Aubergine, peppers, courgette, green beans, carrots and onion are layered with tomato and herbs and baked slowly until soft and sweet, with a little browned crust on top. Serve warm or cold with bread, or beside beans. Suitable as part of a balanced diet. About 190 kcal and 20 g carbohydrate per portion. The usual mistake is cutting the vegetables all the same size: harder carrots and beans need smaller pieces than courgette and aubergine so everything is tender at once. Chef's tip: bake uncovered for the last 20 minutes so the juices reduce and the top caramelises.
- Total time
- 95 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp sunflower or olive oil
- 2 onionssliced
- 2 carrotssliced 5 mm thick
- 7 oz green beanscut into 3 cm pieces
- 1 auberginecut into 3 cm cubes
- 2 peppers (mixed colours)cut into strips
- 1 courgettecut into 3 cm chunks
- 14 oz tinned chopped tomatoes
- 3 cloves garlicsliced
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 3 tbsp fresh parsleychopped
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Method
0/4 doneStep 1: Heat the oven to 375°F (350°F fan). Heat 4 tbsp sunflower or olive oil in a large ovenproof casserole on the hob and soften 2 onions and 2 carrots for 8 minutes.
10 minStep 2: Add 7 oz green beans, 1 aubergine, 2 peppers (mixed colours) and 1 courgette and stir for 5 minutes until the aubergine starts to absorb the oil.
5 minStep 3: Stir in 14 oz tinned chopped tomatoes, 3 cloves garlic, 1 tsp dried thyme, 2 bay leaves, 1 tsp salt and ½ tsp black pepper. Cover and bake for 40 minutes.
40 minStep 4: Uncover, stir gently and bake for 20 minutes more, until the vegetables are soft, the juices thick and the top lightly browned. Scatter with 3 tbsp fresh parsley.
20 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 190 kcal
- Protein
- 4 g
- Carbs
- 20 g
- Fat
- 11 g
- Fibre
- 8 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does ghiveci take?
- About 95 minutes in total: 20 minutes to prepare and 75 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- Can I make it ahead?
- Yes. It keeps well, so you can cook it earlier in the day or the day before and reheat it.
- What can I use instead of sunflower or olive oil?
- Vegetable, sunflower or rapeseed oil, same amount (for cooking; keep olive oil for dressings if you have a little).
- What can I use instead of onions?
- 2 shallots per onion.
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