Healthy: Greek Style Green Beans in Tomato Sauce

Finding healthy vegetable recipes that give you more than steamed vegetables can be tricky. Most recipes that aren't another round of bland steamed vegetables come along with too much oil (such as the original version of this recipe) or adding unnecessarily amounts of salt. This recipe blends a typical Greek technique and flavors together into a simple and easy recipe that packs a nice punch of flavor. It's decidedly Greek by flavor but it's flexible enough that you can serve it with almost anything. You can spruce up the green beans with some feta cheese and/or kalamata olives. Traditional recipes call for more olive oil but I like this recipe a little leaner as its presented.

Simple recipes really need no more of an introduction so let's get to it.

Healthy Greek Green Beans in Tomato Sauce

Serves: 8
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 1 hour

Equipment: 

• Knife and cutting board
• Large skillet with lid
• Stovetop
• Measuring cups
• Kitchen utensils
• Grater

Ingredients:

• 2.5 lb. fresh green beans
• 1 clove garlic
• 1 1/2 red onions
• 1 1/2 lb. fresh tomatoes 
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley
• 1 tbsp fresh oregano
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper

Directions:

1. Prepare vegetables by mincing garlic, chopping onions, trimming the ends off the green beans and grating the tomatoes (leaving out the core). Chop parsley and oregano.
2. Heat olive oil over medium high heat.
3. Saute onions until soft (approximately 6-8 minutes).
4. Add garlic and tomatoes and bring to a boil.
5. Add green beans and mix thoroughly.
6. Turn down heat to medium-low and cover. Simmer for 40 minutes. If green beans start to dry out add a small amount of water.
7. Add parsley and oregano and simmer for an additional 5 minutes.
8. Turn off heat and season with salt and pepper as needed.