Loubye b Zeit - Green Beans in Olive Oil
If you're having a crazy long week or just looking for a quick weeknight dinner - I recommend that you try this one-pot delicious vegan green bean dish. It comes together with a few simple ingredients and little prep.
Loubye b zeit literally translates to Green beans in olive oil - although technically it should say tomatoes as that's the most obvious second ingredient. However, in middle eastern cuisine, the term 'b zeit' or 'in olive oil' refers to the vegetarian version of a dish, typically served with warm bread as opposed to rice.
Romano beans are the most common green bean used in Loubye b Zeit, however string green beans work as well. You can use fresh or frozen green beans with this recipe. My mother would normally make this dish using fresh ripe tomatoes - I choose a bottle of strained tomatoes as a time saver without having to skim on the flavor. Strained tomatoes have no additives or preservatives and would certainly be delicious when cooked. A can of crushed or diced tomatoes would also do the trick.
Loubye b Zeit - Green Beans in Olive Oil
Ingredients
2 lbs Romano Beans*, Chopped
2 onions, chopped
4 garlic cloves, chopped
4 tbsp olive oil
660 ml (or 1 bottle) of strained tomatoes
1 cup water
1 tsp paprika
salt and pepper to taste
*You can use any type of green beans, fresh or frozen, if Romano is not available.
Directions
1. In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium-high heat, add the onions and cook for a few minutes until translucent
2. Add the garlic and cook for about 5 minutes or until soft.
3. Mix in the green Romano beans. Add paprika, salt and pepper.
4. Reduce heat to medium- low, cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Longer if using frozen beans.
5. Add the strained tomatoes and water. Cover and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
6. Uncover and reduce heat to medium-low and cook for an additional 20 minutes, or until beans are tender and the sauce is thick and reduced
7. Transfer to a serving bowl and eat warm or cold with pita bread.
Serve with warm pita, olives and a vegetable platter (cucumbers, green peppers, white onions)