At Anna’s Kitchen Table

Yesterday began the Orthodox Nativity Fast for Christmas. It lasts for 40 days and between now and then we will be ‘vegan plus fish’. Apart from Wednesdays and Fridays when we will be ‘vegan plus seafood’ (prawns, scallops etc)

During the run up to Christmas it becomes stricter and we drop fish completely too and oil on Christmas Eve.

Faith aside, it’s beneficial I feel to eat more plant-based meals, so my thinking cap is constantly on for ‘what shall we eat today’.

And here it is:

Fasolia Isia-isia (which loosely translated means beans straight-straight or even more loosely translated- neck and neck!)

This is because any vegetables are added to the pan to boil with the beans as opposed to being sautéed beforehand like Fasolia Yiahni. Isia-Isia.

I guess now is the time to admit that I don’t eat this dish. I can be a bit funny with beans and pulses, not loving them, but trying to get through a bowlful because I know they’re good for me.

My husband however, loves them and they really couldn’t be easier to make.

I start by soaking 250g dried cannelini beans in water overnight.

If you are using an Instant Pot, put them in, having drained them, cover them with 3 cups of fresh water and set the IP to pressure cook for 10 minutes. Once time is up allow to pressure release naturally.

Roughly chop a couple of carrots and 3 stalks of celery into small bite-size pieces and add to the pot.

Set for a further 5 minutes.

Once you have allowed another natural pressure release, you should have perfectly cooked beans and veggies.

If you don’t have an instant pot, boil the beans until almost tender but not quite. Add the chopped veg and keep simmering until the carrots, celery and beans are cooked.

Drain and serve with freshly chopped parsley, tomatoes and raw onions and lots of olive oil.

Oh and pickled green chillies the absolute best! And maybe some tuna with chopped onion mixed in with it. Absolutely delicious ❤️

Let me know if you try this recipe 😀
Oh and apologies for the phone shadow on the pic, in my defence, I didn’t take it! 😂😂