Greek Green Beans in Tomato Sauce, or Fasolakia Lathera, is a delicious and wholesome dish that features tender green beans simmered in a savoury tomato sauce with olive oil, onions, and herbs. This traditional Greek recipe combines simple, fresh ingredients to create a comforting and flavorful meal that highlights the essence of Mediterranean cooking.
1lb450g green beans, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
1/4cupolive oil
1large onionfinely chopped
2crushed garlic cloves
1can14 oz crushed tomatoes
2tablespoonstomato paste
1tablespoondried oregano
1cupwater
1bay leaf
1/2teaspoonground cinnamon
Salt and black pepperto taste
1/4cupfresh parsleychopped
1tablespoonfresh dillchopped (optional)
Instructions
Begin by washing and trimming the green beans. Cut them into 2-inch pieces to ensure they cook evenly and absorb the tomato sauce beautifully.
Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet or Dutch oven. Add the finely chopped onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the crushed garlic cloves and cook for another minute until they become fragrant.
Add the crushed tomatoes and tomato paste to the skillet. Stir well to combine and cook for 2-3 minutes. This step helps deepen the flavor of the tomato paste and creates a rich base for the sauce.
Mix in the dried oregano, bay leaf, ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt and black pepper. Pour in 1 cup of water, stirring to incorporate. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
Add the green beans to the skillet, making sure they are well coated with the sauce. Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let the beans cook for 30-40 minutes. Stir occasionally, and add a little more water if the sauce thickens too much. The beans should be tender and the sauce should be thickened to your liking.
Once the beans are cooked through, remove the bay leaf. Stir in the chopped fresh parsley and optional fresh dill for added flavor and freshness.
Taste the dish and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if necessary. Serve hot as a delightful side dish or a light, flavorful main course.
Notes
You can usually use chicken broth or vegetable broth instead of water.