New Recipe Search:
Reader Reviews

Italian Flat Green Beans With Tomatoes and Garlic

The Washington Post, August 13, 2008

CSA recipe

  • Course: Side Dish
  • Features: Fast, Healthy

Summary:

This dish is reminiscent of an Italian method of cooking green beans with tomatoes for a long time, which was especially good for tenderizing tough, old beans.

Here, fresh Italian flat beans (a long, flat version of traditional string beans) are cooked quickly and added to fresh tomatoes, garlic and basil. It's so summer.

4 servings

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound Italian green beans or string beans, ends trimmed; cut on the diagonal into 2- to 3-inch pieces
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 3 medium cloves garlic, cut into very thin slices (a scant 1/4 cup)
  • 1 medium tomato, preferably peeled, cored and seeded, then cut into 1/2-inch dice (8 ounces)
  • Salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 6 to 8 large basil leaves, cut into chiffonade (stacked, then rolled tightly and cut into very thin strips; optional garnish)

Directions:

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the green beans and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, until tender. Drain immediately.

While the beans are cooking, heat the oil in a medium saute pan or skillet over medium-low heat. Add the garlic slices, distributing them evenly. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes, until the slices become almost translucent and start to brown on the edges; be careful not to let the garlic burn. Add the diced tomato and salt and pepper to taste, then reduce the heat to medium. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, so that the tomato is heated through. Add the cooked green beans and heat through for 1 to 2 minutes; mix well. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

Transfer to a serving dish and top with the basil, if desired. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Recipe Source:

From In Season columnist Stephanie Witt Sedgwick.

Tested by Stephanie Witt Sedgwick for The Washington Post.
E-mail the Food Section with recipe questions.
Made This Recipe? Write a Review
Nutrition Facts
Information per serving
Calories: 100
% Daily Values*
Total Fat: 7g 11
Saturated Fat: 1g 5
Cholesterol: n/a 0
Sodium: 78mg3
Total Carbohydrates: 9g 3
Dietary Fiber: 4g 16
Sugar: n/a
Protein: 2g
*Percent Daily Value based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Total Fat: Less than65g
Saturated Fat: Less than20g
Cholesterol: Less than300mg
Sodium:Less than2,400mg
Total Carbohydrates: 300g
Dietary Fiber: 25g

Comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions. You are fully responsible for the content that you post.
© The Washington Post Company