Fasoulia

Ingredients

 * 1) 1 1/2 cups dried giant white or fava beans
 * 2) 1 teaspoon baking soda
 * 3) 1 quart water
 * 4) 4 large cloves garlic, minced
 * 5) 1 bay leaf
 * 6) 3 heaping teaspoons of tomato paste
 * 7) 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano

Directions
Soak the beans overnight in 5 cups of water and the baking soda. Drain the water and remove the shells if using fava beans. Add the beans,garlic,bay leaf and tomato paste to the one quart of water. Bring to the boil. Lower heat,cover and simmer 45 minutes.Add salt and oregano and simmer another 30 minutes, beans should be tender but not mushy. Remove cover and raise the heat. Cook until the liquid is reduced to a thick tomato puree. Remove from heat.

Best way to eat: Add the lemon juice and fresh pepper to taste. May be served hot or cool. Garnish with chopped parsley and onion.