Recipe by Mum

Fresh green beans slowly cooked with ripe tomatoes, onion, garlic and plenty of olive oil. Let the sauce reduce until it clings to the beans, then serve warm or at room temperature.

Loubieh bi Zeit: green beans in tomato and olive oil, ready to serve.

Loubieh bi Zeit with Fresh Tomato

Ingredients
  

  • 1 kg fresh green beans ends trimmed
  • 1 large brown onion sliced
  • 5 garlic cloves sliced or crushed
  • 4 –5 ripe tomatoes chopped or grated (about 2 cups)
  • 5 –6 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 tsp ground allspice
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • About 1 tsp salt adjusted at the end
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste optional
  • Small pinch chilli flakes optional

Method
 

  1. Heat the olive oil. Fry the onion over medium heat until soft, glossy and beginning to colour, about 6–8 minutes.
  2. Add garlic and cook 30–60 seconds, until fragrant.
  3. Add tomatoes, allspice, black pepper and half the salt. Cook 8–12 minutes until saucy. If using tomato paste, fry it for 1 minute before adding tomatoes.
  4. Add beans and turn thoroughly through the sauce.
  5. Cover and cook on low for 40–50 minutes, stirring occasionally, until very tender. Add a splash of water only if the pan becomes dry.
  6. Uncover and reduce until glossy rather than watery. Taste and adjust salt.
  7. Serve warm or at room temperature. The flavour improves after resting.

Serve with

Pair with Lebanese rice for a simple family meal.