make-ahead dishes

Creamy mashed white beans, whipped with garlic and oil, then topped with slow-cooked onions—this traditional Romanian dip is simple, satisfying, and soulfully rooted. This dish brings me home. Fasole bătută (literally “beaten beans”) is a staple in Romanian kitchens—humble, comforting, and often served during Lent or on meatless days. But for me, it’s also deeply…