Recipe Type: Vegan/Vegetarian
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 45-50 minutes
Difficulty Level: Easy
Serves: 4-6 people
Ingredients:
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1 onion
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1 clove of garlic
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500 g of potatoes
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1 Vegetable stock cube
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300 g of water
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2 tsp sugar
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Salt
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Pepper
To Serve:
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Salt
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Bread
Discover Fasolakia: Transforming the Way You Think of Green Beans
Green beans. You know them. They’re always around, always there, but not the one you’d immediately go for when thinking about a tasty dinner. But let me tell you, fasolakia aka the Greek green bean stew, is about to change how you feel about these beans forever!
Fasolakia is a Greek dish that turns the humble green bean into something worth getting excited about! It’s slow-cooked with tomatoes, garlic, and olive oil until the beans are tender and swimming in a rich, flavourful sauce. It’s simple, it’s comforting, and it's just the kind of thing you’d want to eat when you’re craving something both healthy and satisfying!
If you’ve never had it before, you might be wondering, “What’s the big deal about fasolakia?” Trust me, it’s one of those dishes that sneaks up on you. You won’t believe how something so simple can taste so amazing!
What is Fasolakia?
Fasolakia is a traditional Greek dish where the green beans get cooked down with tomatoes, onions, garlic, and of course, a lot of olive oil. The olive oil part is important, it makes this dish rich and comforting without any cream or butter. In Greece, when veggies are cooked in this much olive oil, it's called "lathera". The word comes from the Greek word ladi, meaning oil, to reflect one of the key ingredients - olive oil. The olive oil creates a rich flavour without the need for cream or butter. It’s a pretty common way of making veggies feel luxurious in Greek cooking.
It might sound like a simple thing, but it’s one of those recipes that proves you don’t need a bunch of fancy ingredients to make something taste incredible. It’s not about looking for something complicated; it’s about letting fresh, quality ingredients do their thing and shine!
A Healthy Start to The Year
Green beans are already pretty good. They’re full of vitamins, antioxidants, and fibre, but when you add in the olive oil and tomatoes, it’s like a superfood celebration! The olive oil is heart-healthy as it contains vitamin E, and the tomatoes add in a nice dose of antioxidants as they contain vitamin C. Making this dish not only super tasty but also very healthy!
How to Make Fasolakia
Okay, let’s talk about making fasolakia. I won’t lie, it takes some time to cook, but the prep time is quick! It’s one of those recipes where you throw a bunch of ingredients in a pot, forget about it for a bit, and then- voila! You’ve got dinner. Here’s how it goes:
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Trim the ends off the green beans and chop the onions. Mince the garlic, and peel and cut the potatoes into quarters and then halves.
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In a big pot, heat two tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and cook them until they’re soft.
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Once they’re done, toss in the garlic and cook for another minute.
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Add the potatoes, and cook until they get a golden-brown colour.
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Next, stir in your tomato paste, chopped tomatoes and sugar. Stir everything together well.
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Add the green beans to the pot, and season with salt and pepper.
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Add water and the vegetable stock cube to the pot and bring to a simmer. Once simmering, reduce the heat and cover the pot with a lid.
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Let it cook for 45- 50 minutes, stirring occasionally.
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Remove the pot from the heat, add in the remaining olive oil and stir.
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Serve with feta and slices of bread.
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Enjoy!
Why You’ll Keep Coming Back to Fasolakia
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It’s Healthy: Packed with all the good stuff - vitamins, antioxidants, and healthy fats. It’s comfort food that won’t make you feel sluggish.
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It’s Flexible: Whether you serve it as a main, side, or part of a big spread, fasolakia works. You can have it with bread, rice, or just as is.
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It’s Affordable: You don’t need to break the bank for great ingredients. Green beans, tomatoes, and olive oil can all be found at Hellenic Grocery at great prices.
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It’s a Taste of Greece: If you’ve never been to Greece, this is a little taste of what it’s like. A bite of fasolakia brings the essence of the Mediterranean to life.
Pro Tips for Perfect Fasolakia
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Go Heavy on the Olive Oil: This is not the time to skimp. Olive oil is key to the texture and flavour.
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It Gets Better with Time: Like many stews, fasolakia is one of those dishes that tastes better the next day. Make a big batch and enjoy it all week.
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Season with Sea Salt: Use Sea salt to season the dish to bring out the best flavours. Be careful not to overdo it, as the dish will continue to season as it simmers.
Final Thoughts
If you’re someone who’s always passed on green beans, fasolakia might just change your mind! It’s so easy to make, packed with flavour and will make you rethink how you cook veggies. You don’t need a complicated recipe to make something delicious, sometimes all it takes is a few good ingredients and a little bit of time.
So, go grab some green beans, roll up your sleeves, and give this dish a try. It might just become a regular at your table!
