Description
Lebanese Green Beans (Loubieh Bi Zeit) is a traditional Middle Eastern dish featuring tender flat Italian green beans simmered in a fragrant tomato and olive oil sauce with aromatic spices like cinnamon and cumin. This hearty, vegan, and gluten-free dish is perfect as a side or light main course and is typically served warm or at room temperature.
Ingredients
Vegetables
- 2 medium onions, diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 pounds flat Italian green beans, trimmed and cut in half
- 6 Roma tomatoes, finely chopped
Other Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- 2 teaspoons salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup water
Instructions
- Sauté Onions: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onions and cook for about 10 minutes until they become soft and lightly golden, developing a sweet, caramelized flavor.
- Add Garlic and Tomato Paste: Stir in the minced garlic and 3 tablespoons of tomato paste, cooking continuously for approximately 30 seconds until fragrant. This step enhances the tomato taste and infuses the oil with garlic aroma.
- Combine Green Beans and Spices: Add the trimmed and halved green beans, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, ½ teaspoon cumin, 2 teaspoons salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper. Stir well to coat the beans with the onion and tomato mixture evenly.
- Add Tomatoes and Water, Then Simmer: Mix in the finely chopped Roma tomatoes and ½ cup of water. Cover the skillet and cook for 15 to 20 minutes over medium heat until the green beans are tender when pierced with a fork and the sauce has thickened to a rich consistency.
- Serve: Remove the pan from heat and let the dish cool slightly. Serve warm or at room temperature, accompanied by pita bread if desired, to enjoy the authentic Lebanese flavors.
Notes
- You can substitute flat Italian green beans with regular green beans, but the texture will differ slightly.
- Adjust the salt to taste if you prefer a lower sodium dish.
- Reheats well and flavors deepen after a day.
- Serve as a side dish or light vegetarian main course.
- This dish pairs beautifully with fresh pita bread or alongside rice.
