Hearty Sweet & Sour Bean Casserole
This Hearty Sweet & Sour Bean Casserole is a deliciously complex vegetarian main dish that brings together a medley of flavors with fresh, vibrant ingredients. The dish combines a variety of beans with sweet and tangy elements from apple juice, brown sugar, and soy sauce, all enveloped in a rich tomato sauce. Topped with tender, golden-brown potato slices, this hotpot is perfect for a cozy family meal or entertaining guests. Serve with crusty bread or a simple side salad for a satisfying and nutritious feast. Customize the bean varieties to match your preferences or what you have on hand!
6
Servings
400
Calories
18
Ingredients
Ingredients
Potato
1 lb (unpeeled, thinly sliced)
Olive oil
1 tablespoon (for greasing potatoes)
Butter
3 tablespoons (for sauce)
Flour
1/3 cup (for thickening sauce)
Tomato puree (or passata)
1 1/4 cups (for sauce base)
Apple juice
2/3 cup (unsweetened, for sweetness)
Brown sugar
1/4 cup (for sweetness)
Ketchup
1/4 cup (for tanginess)
Dry sherry
1/4 cup (optional, for depth of flavor)
Cider vinegar
1/4 cup (for acidity)
Soy sauce
1/4 cup (for umami)
Lima beans
14 ounces (canned, rinsed and drained)
Flageolet beans
14 ounces (canned, rinsed and drained)
Chickpeas
14 ounces (canned, rinsed and drained)
Green beans
6 ounces (chopped and blanched)
Shallots
8 ounces (sliced and blanched)
Mushrooms
8 ounces (sliced)
Thyme
1 tablespoon (chopped, for seasoning)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2
Thinly slice the potatoes and parboil them in salted water for 4 minutes. Drain thoroughly and toss the potato slices in olive oil until evenly coated, then set aside.
3
In a large saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour until smooth. Gradually add the tomato puree, apple juice, brown sugar, ketchup, dry sherry, cider vinegar, and soy sauce. Stir constantly until the mixture thickens and reach a gentle boil. Allow it to simmer for an additional 3 minutes, continuing to stir frequently.
4
Rinse and drain the canned beans (lima, flageolet, and chickpeas). Add them to the saucepan along with the blanched green beans, shallots, mushrooms, and chopped thyme. Mix until all ingredients are combined and coated with the sauce.
5
Transfer the bean mixture into a large casserole dish. Arrange the potato slices on top of the bean mixture, overlapping them slightly to create a complete layer.
6
Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for about 1 hour, or until the potato slices are tender. Remove the foil during the last 20 minutes of cooking to allow the potatoes to brown slightly.
Nutrition Information
5g
Fat
63g
Carbs
10g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Hearty Sweet & Sour Bean Casserole?
It is a complex vegetarian main dish combining various beans with a sweet and tangy tomato-based sauce, topped with golden-brown potato slices.
Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, this recipe is specifically described as a delicious vegetarian main dish.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This casserole recipe makes 6 servings.
What is the oven temperature for baking?
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) before baking the casserole.
How do I prepare the potato topping?
Thinly slice the potatoes, parboil them for 4 minutes, drain, and toss them in olive oil before layering them on the casserole.
What ingredients make up the sweet and sour sauce?
The sauce consists of butter, flour, tomato puree, apple juice, brown sugar, ketchup, dry sherry, cider vinegar, and soy sauce.
Which types of canned beans are included?
The recipe uses lima beans, flageolet beans, and chickpeas.
Does the recipe use fresh green beans?
Yes, it includes 6 ounces of chopped and blanched green beans.
How long should the casserole bake in the oven?
The casserole should bake for a total of approximately 1 hour.
When should I remove the aluminum foil during baking?
Remove the foil during the last 20 minutes of cooking to allow the potatoes to brown.
How many calories are in one serving?
Each serving contains approximately 400 calories.
What is the protein content of this dish?
This dish provides 10g of protein per serving.
What are the fat and carbohydrate levels?
One serving contains 5g of fat and 63g of carbohydrates.
Can I substitute the bean varieties?
Yes, you can customize the bean varieties to match your preferences or what you have available.
What provides the umami flavor in the sauce?
Soy sauce is used to add a rich umami depth to the sweet and sour sauce.
Is the dry sherry mandatory?
The dry sherry is optional and is used to add extra depth of flavor.
What fresh vegetables are used besides beans?
The recipe includes shallots and sliced mushrooms.
How do I thicken the sauce?
A roux is made by melting butter and whisking in flour before adding the liquid ingredients.
What herbs are used for seasoning?
The recipe calls for one tablespoon of chopped fresh thyme.
Should the potatoes be peeled?
No, the recipe suggests using unpeeled, thinly sliced potatoes.
What should I serve with this casserole?
It is recommended to serve this dish with crusty bread or a simple side salad.
How do I arrange the potatoes on the casserole?
Arrange them on top of the bean mixture, overlapping them slightly to create a complete layer.
What type of apple juice should be used?
The recipe recommends using unsweetened apple juice for the sauce.
How are the shallots prepared?
The shallots should be sliced and blanched before being added to the mixture.
What is the primary category of this recipe?
The recipe is categorized under 'Beans' and is considered a 'Main Dish'.
How many total ingredients are used?
There are 18 ingredients used in this recipe.
What provides the tanginess in the sauce?
The combination of ketchup and cider vinegar provides the tangy elements of the sauce.
Is this dish considered comfort food?
Yes, it is tagged as comfort food and described as perfect for a cozy family meal.
Can I use passata instead of tomato puree?
Yes, the recipe lists tomato puree or passata as interchangeable options.
How should the canned beans be processed before cooking?
Canned beans should be thoroughly rinsed and drained before being added to the sauce.