Description
Mediterranean Braised Green Beans with Tomatoes is a flavorful and comforting dish featuring tender green beans simmered in a rich tomato and garlic sauce, infused with aromatic onions, olive oil, and a touch of crushed red pepper flakes. This vegetable-focused recipe is perfect as a side dish or a light main, offering fresh parsley and lemon wedges to brighten the flavors.
Ingredients
Vegetables
- 2 medium tomatoes
- 1 large onion, quartered and sliced
- 1 pound green beans, trimmed and halved crosswise
- 4 cloves garlic, chopped
- Chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
- Lemon wedges (for serving)
Pantry
- 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil (plus more for drizzling if desired)
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon sugar (or to taste)
Instructions
- Prepare ice bath and blanch tomatoes: Bring a saucepan of water to a boil and prepare an ice bath in a separate bowl. Cut a small "X" on the bottom of each tomato.
- Blanch tomatoes: Immerse the tomatoes in boiling water for 20-30 seconds until the skin begins to curl and peel away.
- Cool and peel tomatoes: Transfer tomatoes to the ice bath to stop cooking. Drain, peel, seed, and chop them. Set aside.
- Heat olive oil: In a deep skillet or sauté pan over medium heat, heat 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil.
- Sauté onion and garlic: Add the sliced onion and chopped garlic to the oil and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5-6 minutes until the onions start to soften.
- Cook tomatoes: Add the chopped tomatoes to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, for 4-5 minutes until they begin to break down and release their juices.
- Add green beans and water: Stir in the trimmed and halved green beans, 1 cup of water, and 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes. Bring to a boil.
- Braise the beans: Reduce heat to low, cover the pan with the lid slightly ajar, and simmer for approximately 45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beans are very tender.
- Season the dish: Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste and add 1 teaspoon of sugar to balance acidity. Stir well.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the dish and serve with lemon wedges for a bright, fresh finish.
Notes
- Blanching tomatoes makes peeling them easier and ensures a smoother texture in the sauce.
- Simmering the green beans for 45 minutes allows them to become tender and absorb the tomato flavors.
- Add sugar gradually to balance the acidity of the tomatoes to your personal taste.
- Use fresh parsley and fresh lemon wedges to enhance the brightness of the dish just before serving.
- This dish can be served warm or at room temperature and pairs well with crusty bread or grilled meats.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
