Mashed Beans with Garlic

Beans with garlic is a traditional Ukrainian Christmas dish. If you love garlic, add more. Serve this dish hot with dinner or chill and serve as a dip with crackers or a vegetable plate.

Mashed Beans with Garlic

1-1/2 cups white beans 

water for soaking

5 cups water

1 tsp salt

1/8 tsp baking soda

1 clove garlic, crushed

1 large onion, diced

1 tsp olive oil

• Rinse beans; cover in water, and soak overnight. 
• The next day: drain, put beans back in the pot with 5 cups fresh water. Bring to a boil then cover and simmer until beans are tender. Add salt and baking soda when beans are almost done. 
• Drain if there is excess water and set liquid aside for later. 
• Mash beans well, adding bean liquid a little at a time until it is of a thick consistency. 
• Stir in garlic. 
• Saute onions in oil and sprinkle on top of beans before serving. 
• Serve hot. Or let cool and serve as a dip.
• For extra flavour, boil a peeled and quartered white onion with the beans.