Reduced green beans with tomato sauce

Name: Reduced green beans with tomato sauce - Gratiana L.
Ingredients: 500 g green beans; 1 onion; 1 tablespoon tomato paste; herbs de Provence; salt

Savory - Reduced green beans with tomato sauce by Gratiana L. - Recipia

Every time I find fresh green beans at the market, I feel like making this simple version with tomato sauce. It’s the kind of recipe I don’t think too much about – I just need a few ingredients, put them together, and in half an hour, the meal is ready. I don’t even need a special occasion; it works anytime as a main dish or a side. Everything happens quickly and without complications. Quick info Total time: approx. 35-40 minutes Preparation: 10 minutes Cooking: 25-30 minutes Servings: 2-3 Difficulty: easy Recipe type: vegan main dish or side Ingredients 500 g green beans (green or yellow) 1 onion 1 tablespoon tomato paste Herbs de Provence, to taste Salt, to taste Preparation method 1. Clean the onion and chop it finely. 2. Wash the beans and trim the ends. If they are too long, you can break them into two or three pieces. 3. Heat a little oil in a pot (any regular pot for cooking vegetables works). Add the onion and sauté, stirring occasionally until it becomes translucent, without burning. 4. Add the beans over the onion. Pour in enough water to cover them lightly. Turn the heat to medium and cover with a lid. Let it simmer until the beans soften but still hold their shape. This may take 20-25 minutes, depending on how tender the beans are. 5. In the meantime, dilute the tomato paste in a cup of water. 6. When the beans are almost cooked, pour the diluted tomato paste into the pot. Stir gently. 7. Sprinkle salt to taste and herbs de Provence. Stir and let it simmer uncovered for another 5-10 minutes, allowing the sauce to reduce slightly and gain flavor. 8. Taste and adjust the salt or herbs if necessary. 9. Turn off the heat and let the dish sit for 5-10 minutes before serving. The sauce will thicken a bit as it cools. Why I make this recipe often I love it because I don’t need many ingredients and can easily adapt it to what I have in the fridge. It’s quick, easy to make, and works well both warm and at room temperature. It keeps decently for the next day, and the taste doesn’t change much. Essentially, it’s a go-to solution when I want something meatless and hassle-free. Tips and variations Tips - Don’t cut the beans too small, or they will break apart too much while cooking. - If you want the dish to be thicker, leave the pot uncovered at the end to let some liquid evaporate. - The onion should be soft but not browned. If it burns, the dish will have a bitter taste. Substitutions - Instead of Herbs de Provence, you can use oregano or thyme, but use less, as they are more intense in flavor. - Tomato paste can be replaced with a bit of thick tomato juice, but adjust the liquid amount if needed. Variations - If you want, you can add a chopped garlic clove to the onion, but it’s not mandatory. - For more consistency, sometimes I add a few thinly sliced potatoes at the beginning, together with the beans. - For those who do not observe fasting, it can also be served with a little sour cream. Serving ideas - This dish is eaten simply, with fresh bread. - It also works as a side dish alongside a steak or grilled meat. - It can be served over plain rice for a quick lunch. Frequently asked questions 1. What type of green beans can I use? You can use any kind of green or yellow beans, as long as they are tender. If they are older, they take longer to cook and may have strings. 2. How much water do I put to boil? The water should just cover the beans lightly. Don’t fill the pot too much, as you want the sauce to be thicker at the end. 3. Can I use red onion? Yes, but it will slightly change the taste. It’s sweeter, but it works in a pinch. 4. What do I do if the sauce remains too liquid? Leave the pot on the heat without a lid for a few minutes at the end. The sauce will thicken as the water evaporates. 5. Can it be made without Herbs de Provence? Yes, just with salt, if you don’t have or don’t like their aroma. The final taste will be simpler, but still good. Nutritional values Approximately, for one serving (out of three, without bread or other additions): - Calories: approx. 70-90 kcal - Protein: 3 g - Carbohydrates: 14 g - Fat: under 1 g Values may vary depending on how much water remains and what type of tomato paste you use. It’s a very low-calorie and low-fat dish, mainly based on vegetables. Storage and reheating The dish keeps well in the fridge, in a closed container, for about 2 days. It can be reheated on low heat or in the microwave. The sauce thickens a bit after sitting, so if it seems too dense, add a tablespoon or two of water while reheating. If you use very tender beans, they may become a bit softer the next day, but their taste won’t change.

Reduced green beans with tomato sauce

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