Gigantes Plaki: Traditional Greek Baked Giant Beans vs Marmitako (Basque Tuna Stew)

Both dishes build on a soft base of onion, garlic, tomato and olive oil scented with bay leaf, yet they head in different directions. Gigantes Plaki is baked in the oven until its sauce thickens around creamy giant beans, with a touch of sugar to balance the tomato, plenty of fresh dill and parsley folded in, and a slightly caramelized crust on top. Marmitako is a brothier stovetop stew: sweet paprika and red and green bell peppers color a fish-stock base, snapped potatoes release starch to thicken it, and briefly seared tuna finishes cooking gently, with parsley used only as a garnish.