Green Beans with Garlic & Tomatoes

Makes 4-6 servings

This dish is simple to make but the combination of green beans, garlic, onion and tomatoes adds a complex taste that melds together. They are ideal to serve to company and easy enough to make with dinner. They are just as good as anything you will ever get in a restaurant.

Ingredients *

1 Lg Onion (diced)

2 TBS Olive Oil

2 lb. Fresh Green Beans *

12 oz. Can Diced Tomatoes (do not drain) *

¼ C Fresh Parsley (chopped) or 1 TBS Dried Parsley

¼ C Fresh Basil (chopped) or 1 tsp dried Basil

2-3 cloves Garlic (minced)

½ tsp Table Salt

4 grinds Black Pepper

I prefer fresh green beans.  The taste of canned green beans pales in comparison however frozen will work in a pinch.  Wash the beans then trim the ends.  Place them in a steamer for about ten minutes or until they are fork tender.  You can also boil the green beans until fork tender. Rinse under cold water to stop the cooking.

Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan on medium heat.  Add the diced onion and cook until the onion is translucent.  Add the garlic and cook an additional 30 seconds.  It is important that you do not add the garlic any earlier or it will burn and make your dish bitter.  Add the diced tomato, parsley, basil, salt, and pepper, and simmer for 15 min on low.  Add the green beans and cook for an additional 5 minutes. 

* Pronto Substitutes

Green Beans – If you don’t that the time or inclination to clean fresh green beans you can substitute frozen green beans or better still you can use Prewashed Green Beans, found in the produce department, which are fresh trimmed, triple washed and ready to use.

Canned Diced Tomatoes – If you don’t like tomatoes or you want to vary the dish use 4 oz of diced roasted peppers (see photo above).

Fresh Garlic vs. Jarred Garlic

Every Italian cookbook that I’ve ever looked at has used fresh garlic cloves in their recipes.  When I get home from work and I want to cook I want to spend the least amount of time in the kitchen while still creating great tasting food.  When it comes to garlic I will usually reach for the jar of minced garlic that I always keep in the fridge.  I find it close enough to fresh that I prefer the convenience.  The choice is yours!

To print a copy of this recipe go to Green Beans with Garlic and Tomatoes.