• 4 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 1 lb fresh or frozen green beans, stem ends trimmed and cut to 1-2 inch pieces
  • 4 cloves of garlic, crushed
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon syrian spice mix
  • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
  • 3 medium tomatoes, diced
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1/2 cup water

I love green beans and I love fresh cut green beans from the farmers market. I have been into Middle Eastern food lately and I wanted to cook up a classic Lebanese dish and love the spices that are used in the dish. Loubieh Bi Zeit, tender green beans sautéed in tomatoes, onions, garlic and olive oil. This is a healthy vegetarian Lebanese recipe.

What you will need to make for yourself is a Syrian Spice Mix, you can buy this mixture in any import store or you can make your own. You will have the majority of the spices in your spice cabinet to begin with.

Syrian Spice Mix

  • 1/2 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 1/4 ground all spice
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

Directions:

  1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add onion and cook until softened, stirring occasionally.
  3. Add the green beans and saute until they start to take on a little color, stirring occasionally.
  4. Add garlic, Syrian Spice Mix and black pepper and cook for about 2-3 minutes.
  5. Add tomatos, tomato paste and water. Bring to a boil. Cover the skillet, turn heat down to simmer and cook about 20-30 minutes. Stirring occasionally.
  6. Once the beans are tender, uncover and turn the heat to high until the sauce thickens stirring frequently.