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Fasolakia: Greek Green Beans and Tomato Stew, a Delectable Dish

    Fassolia yiachni

    Greek cuisine is a regular favorite of vegetarians for good reason. While it is not at all a vegan culture, it does have many dishes with no meat, or where meat or fish are ingredients rather than the principal element of the dish.

    Greek kids love vegetables, or at least we did in our family. It’s the olive oil. Not only is olive oil flavorful on its own, it adds the essential calories that vegetables lack and makes them delicious and savory. To this day, fasolakia is the only way my brother will eat green beans and to be honest, the same is true for me.

    Fasolakia is an essential dish (at least for me) in a Pikilia (variety plate), where it combines with the other elements in the most delicious way. I especially love to have it on soft Greek sesame bread with a bit of tarama, a delicious dip made with cod roe that is very like mayonnaise, and some skordalia (garlic sauce). MmmmMMm

    Cooked Fasolakia Plated

    Fasolakia, aka Fassolia Yiachni: Green Bean Stew in Tomato Sauce

    A rich and satisfying stew made with beans, tomatoes, onions, and olive oil.
    Servings: 4

    Ingredients  

    • 125 ml olive oil
    • 1 onion minced
    • 7 ml salt
    • 250 gr green beans
    • 2 cloves of garlic minced
    • 400 gr chopped skinned tomatoes, fresh or canned

    Instructions 

    • Heat the oil, add the minced onion and salt. Cook until the onions are fragrant and just beginning to change color. This is not so much frying as it is simmering in hot oil.
    • Add the beans, make sure to carefully coat every bean in the hot oil, and cook for a couple of minutes
    • Add the chopped tomatoes and cook for 10-20 minutes, until the beans just lose their bright green and are fully cooked.
    • Remove from the heat and serve
    • May be served hot, warm, or cold
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