GREEN BEANS AND MEAT SLOWLY COOKED IN TOMATO AND OLIVE OIL

Fasolakia me kreas is the meaty version of the fasolakia dish I featured earlier. The addition of meat turns it into a more complete meal, with a deeper, richer flavor. It’s usually made with lamb or beef. I went with beef this time since the lamb options were pretty limited at the store.

This is a summer dish, when green beans are everywhere. Fresh beans really make a difference here. Look for ones that are bright, firm, and crisp. If you grow your own, even better. They’re easy to grow and hard to mess up.

The meat is cooked first with onions, then tomatoes are added along with a little wine or water. It simmers until the meat starts to become tender. After that, the green beans, potatoes, herbs, and a touch of cinnamon go in, and everything cooks together slowly until it all comes together.

It’s a simple dish, but it ends up with a lot of depth.

It’s that easy. Here’s the recipe

Fasolakia Me Kreas

A HEARTY DISH OF GREEN BEANS AND MEAT SIMMERED IN TOMATO AND OLIVE OIL

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Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr 45 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Greek

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 2 pounds leg of lamb or beef stew meat cut into serving-sized pieces
• 1 onion chopped
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/3 cup wine
• 2 large tomatoes chopped
• 1 8 oz can tomato sauce
• pinch of salt
• 1.5 lb pounds fresh string beans
• 2 russet potatoes cut into large chunks.
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint and/or dill & parsley – I use all three
• 1 cinnamon stick or 1 tsp ground cinnamon

Equipment

• 1 Large Pot

Method

 

1. In a large pot, heat the olive oil and sauté the meat and onion until browned.
   2 pounds leg of lamb or beef stew meat, 1/2 cup olive oil, 1 onion chopped
2. Add tomatoes, tomato sauce, the wine and salt. Bring it up to to a simmer, cover, and cook for 45 minutes. check the meat for tenderness. Cook a bit longer if it needs more time
   1/3 cup wine, 2 large tomatoes chopped, 1 8 oz can tomato sauce, pinch of salt
3. Add the potatoes, green beans, herbs, and cinnamon. Simmer for another 45 minutes or so. Season if needed. Let it rest and cool a bit before serving.
   1.5 lb pounds fresh string beans, 2 russet potatoes, 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint, 1 cinnamon stick or 1 tsp ground cinnamon

Notes

Crumble some feta on top when serving

I crumble some feta on top when serving.

This works well with some crusty bread, a little feta, and something like Greek lemon potatoes or a simple Greek salad on the side.

Very traditional..

OPA!