Green Beans & Tomato Appetizer

Experience the delightful flavors of Green Beans & Tomato Appetizer, a Middle Eastern dish that brings together the freshness of green beans and the vibrant taste of tomatoes. This versatile appetizer can be enjoyed warm or cold, making it a perfect addition to any season or occasion.

Preparation is a breeze, and the result is a dish that is not only delicious but also healthy. While I typically use chopped canned tomatoes for convenience, fresh tomatoes can easily be substituted for a burst of garden-fresh flavor. For the green beans, a simple wash and trim will suffice, followed by cutting them in half.

To enhance the flavors, onions, and garlic are chopped or grated, providing a savory base for the dish. A selection of spices adds a touch of warmth and complexity, allowing you to customize the flavor to your liking. And let’s not forget the dill—the aromatic herb that not only lends a pleasant taste but may also offer potential health benefits, such as aiding in cholesterol reduction.

Green Beans & Tomato Appetizer holds a special place in my heart, evoking memories of childhood, particularly during the summertime. It is a dish that brings together simplicity and nostalgia, making it a true comfort food. And if you’re feeling adventurous, you can even enjoy it as a wrap, nestled within a tortilla for a delightful twist.

One of the advantages of this dish is that you have full control over the salt and spices, allowing you to tailor it to your taste preferences. Furthermore, it is cooked in olive oil, making it a healthier option that doesn’t compromise on flavor.

In Persian, this appetizer is known as “Saladeh Loobia Sabz,” and it is a dish that is sure to delight your taste buds and transport you to a world of Middle Eastern flavors. So go ahead, give it a try, and savor the simple yet vibrant combination of green beans and tomatoes in this delightful appetizer.

Green Beans & Tomato Appetizer

Author: Dino B Cooking Method: Sautée Cuisine: Persian Cuisine

Difficulty: Easy Prep Time 5 mins Cook Time 18 mins Total Time 23 mins

Servings: 6

Description

Green Beans & Tomato Appetizer is a middle eastern appetizer. You can eat it warm or cold, by itself, or spread it on bread. Ideally, they eat it warm in the winter and cold in the summer.

It is easy, healthy, and delicious! I usually use chopped canned tomatoes for ease but you can easily use fresh tomatoes. For fresh green beans just wash them then cut the tips and cut them in half. Simply chop or grate the onions and the garlic, add spices, and end it with adding the dill.

Fresh dill is ideal but if you don't have it add dried but earlier when you are still cooking the tomatoes. They say dill helps reduce cholesterol if so then even better, but it adds a really nice taste to this dish. This is food that I remember from childhood, especially in the summer. Nowadays, I like it also as a wrap, in a tortilla!

You control the salt and spices to your taste, in general, I don't use too much salt when I cook. This dish is cooked in olive oil so you could not get healthier than this. In Persian, they call it "Saladeh Loobia Sabz". Make it and enjoy it!

Ingredients

Servings

• 1.5 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion (I usually prefer red onions as they seem to have better taste when cooked)
• 1 garlic clove (or add more if you like stronger taste of garlic)
• 1 pinch of salt or to your taste
• 1 pinch of black pepper or to your taste
• 500 g of green beans
• 1 can of chopped tomato (or use fresh chopped tomatoes I would say about 3 to 4 depending on the size)
• 1 small bunch of fresh dill (you can substitute with 1.5 tablespoon of dried dill or to your taste)

Instructions

1. Chop the green beans and chop or grate the onions I usually just drop the onions in food processor. The beans need to be cut in half so they are a comfortable size for eating.
   
2. In a pot heat the olive oil and add the chopped or grated onion and garlic. After the onions get some color to add the beans. Don't overcook the onion as it will still sautée with the green beans.
   
3. Add all of the beans and stir and let it cook for a few minutes so it gets some color. Stir occasionally. Add the salt and the pepper.
   
4. Once green beans look almost cooked add the chopped tomatoes. Let it cook until the tomatoes change color and are cooked stir occasionally but after a minute or so of adding the tomatoes, you can put the lid on and reduce the heat slightly, in about 5 to 8 minutes it should be done.
   
5. Next add the coarsly chopped dill and stir put the lid on and turn off the heat. Let it sit there on the range for a while the heat softens the dill. Dill is very tender and does not need much cooking. If you are going to add dried dill then add it earlier so it absorbs some of the tomato liquid and freshens up.
   
6. You can serve it while it is warm or put it the refrigerator for later and serve it cold.