Name: Loubieh Bi Zeit: Simple Green Beans in Tomato Sauce Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Ingredients: 2 pounds green beans, washed and trimmed (cut into 2-inch pieces); 3 ripe tomatoes, diced; 1 large onion, sliced into wedges; 10 cloves garlic (5 whole, 5 sliced); 1 teaspoon salt; 2 tablespoons tomato sauce; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 cup water

Description

Loubieh Bi Zeit is a traditional Middle Eastern dish featuring fresh green beans simmered in a flavorful tomato and garlic sauce. This vibrant and comforting recipe highlights the natural crunch of green beans combined with the rich taste of ripe tomatoes, caramelized onions, and fragrant garlic, all gently cooked in olive oil for a delightful vegetarian meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables

2 pounds green beans, washed and trimmed (cut into 2-inch pieces)
3 ripe tomatoes, diced
1 large onion, sliced into wedges
10 cloves garlic (5 whole, 5 sliced)

Other Ingredients

1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons tomato sauce
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup water

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Instructions

Prepare the Vegetables: Wash and trim the green beans, cutting them into 2-inch pieces. Dice the tomatoes and slice the onion into wedges. Separate the garlic cloves, leaving 5 whole and slicing the other 5 into round-shaped pieces.
Sauté Aromatics: In a large pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the whole garlic cloves and sliced onion. Sauté for about 5 minutes until the onion softens and starts to caramelize, releasing its sweetness.
Add Tomatoes: Stir in the diced tomatoes and tomato sauce, mixing well. Cook the mixture for another 2-3 minutes to let the flavors meld together.
Simmer Green Beans: Add the trimmed green beans and 1 cup of water to the pan. Season with salt and stir gently to combine all ingredients.
Cook Covered: Cover the pan and let the beans simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the green beans are tender but still retain some bite, absorbing the flavorful sauce.
Serve: Once the beans are cooked through, uncover the pan, check seasoning, and serve the Loubieh Bi Zeit warm as a side or main dish.

Notes

Use fresh green beans for the best texture and flavor.
Adjust the salt according to your taste preference.
The dish is traditionally served at room temperature or warm and pairs well with rice or flatbread.
For a bit of heat, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes during the tomato sauté step.
This recipe is naturally vegetarian and can be made vegan by ensuring the tomato sauce contains no animal products.