Flat Green Bean With Tomato sauce

(Loubyeh B'zeit)

Loubyeh (Green Beans) B'zeit (Oil) is a popular Vegetarian dish in Lebanon.
Beans are very healthy alternative. Low in calories, high in fiber and great source of antioxidants.

Loubyeh B'zeit is very easy to make. Light yet very tasty.
You can eat it hot, warm, at room temperature or cold.

If you can't find flat green Beans you can get any kind available at your local supermarket or you can use frozen Beans (romano style/cut) all works as fine.

Flat Green Beans also known as Helda Beans and Romano Beans

Flat Green Bean With Tomato sauce

(Loubyeh B'zeit)

INGREDIENTS:

1 kg flat green beans, washed, trimmed, strings removed and cut into halves or 1 kg bag of frozen beans, Romano style
6 medium preferably Roma tomatoes or any ripened tomato cut into chunks
2 tbsp tomato paste or 1/2 can tomato sauce for richer flavor and more condensed sauce, or you can opt this step altogether
1 large onion finely diced (red, yellow or white)
7 garlic cloves finely sliced (plus one whole garlic bulb with skin on)
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 cups water (if using fresh beans and 1 1/2 cups if using frozen beans)
Salt and pepper to taste
White Beans (Optional)

METHOD:

Cook the onion in olive oil until golden brown.

Add the sliced garlic and cook until tender and fragrant. (garlic cook faster than onion)

Add the beans and garlic bulb, cover with room temperature water, cook on medium heat until boiling, lower the heat to low and simmer for 30 min or until soften. 

Add white beans if used for extra protein and flavor

Stir the green beans every few minutes and check the water level. 

If the beans still not soften and the water is absorbed add more water and let it simmer for more. (Frozen beans takes lesser time and water)

Add chopped tomatoes and cook until soft

Add tomato paste or sauce (if used), salt and pepper and cook for few minutes until the sauce is thickened

Serve with raw or green onion and Pita bread.

Sahtein! Bon Appetit!

RECIPE TIPS AND TRICKS

For Loubyeh B' lahmeh (Green Beans with Meat), use the skinny Green Beans also known as French Green Beans (Haricot Verts). Wash, trim the ends and cut into halves, lengthwise or you can buy frozen bag, french style.


Use the same recipe and method, but take out the fresh tomatoes, white beans and whole garlic bulb. Use instead whole can of tomato sauce or 2 cans of small tomato paste.
First you fry the onion, garlic and meat in canola oil and not olive oil, add the beans, water and cook until tender (meat and beans), add tomato sauce and simmer until thickened and condensed. Add salt, pepper and all spices. Served with vermicelli rice and pita bread.

Bon Appetit!