Loubieh B'Zeit (Lebanese Green Beans with Olive Oil)

The method

Step by step

1. 1

   Prepare the vegetables: Trim the ends off the green beans, then chop the yellow onion into a fine dice and mince the garlic cloves.

   About 10 min

   Cook’s note: For uniform cooking, ensure the green beans are roughly the same size. If using fresh garlic, finely mincing it will allow its flavor to meld seamlessly into the sauce.

2. 2

   Heat the olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat until shimmering.

   About 1 min

   Cook’s note: Using a good quality extra virgin olive oil is crucial for the authentic flavor of this dish, as it's a prominent ingredient.

3. 3

   Add the diced yellow onion to the hot oil and sauté, stirring occasionally, until it becomes soft and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.

   About 7 min

   Cook’s note: Do not rush this step; properly caramelizing the onions builds a sweet flavor base for the entire dish.

4. 4

   Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until it becomes fragrant, being careful not to let it brown or burn, which can make it bitter.

   About 1 min

   Cook’s note: Garlic burns quickly, so keep a close eye on it and stir constantly during this brief cooking period.

5. 5

   Add the trimmed green beans to the pot and stir thoroughly to coat them evenly with the aromatic onion and garlic mixture.

   About 2 min

   Cook’s note: Ensure all beans are well-coated to absorb the initial flavors before the liquid is added.

6. 6

   Pour in the canned crushed tomatoes and water, then season the mixture with salt and black pepper.

   About 1 min

   Cook’s note: Crushed tomatoes provide a rustic texture, but diced tomatoes can be used for a chunkier sauce. Adjust the water quantity based on your desired sauce consistency.

7. 7

   Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot tightly, and cook for 30-40 minutes, or until the green beans are very tender and almost melting.

   About 40 min

   Cook’s note: The key to this dish is slow simmering, allowing the flavors to meld and the beans to become incredibly soft, not just cooked through. Stir every 10-15 minutes to prevent sticking.

8. 8

   Taste the stew and adjust the seasoning with additional salt or pepper as needed.

   About 1 min

   Cook’s note: Consider adding a pinch of sugar if your tomatoes are particularly acidic, or a squeeze of lemon juice for brightness.

9. 9

   Serve the Loubieh B'Zeit warm, drizzled with a little extra virgin olive oil if desired.

   Cook’s note: This dish often tastes even better the next day as the flavors have more time to deepen.