Mediterranean Braised Green Beans

Ingredients

• 5 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil (divided)
• 1 onion (chopped fine)
• 4 garlic cloves (minced)
• cayenne pepper (pinch)
• 1.5 cup water
• 0.5 tsp baking soda
• 1.5 lb green beans (trimmed and cut into 2- to 3-inch lengths)
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 14.5 oz diced tomatoes (1 can; drained with juice reserved, chopped coarse)
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.25 tsp pepper
• 0.25 cup fresh parsley (chopped)
• red wine vinegar (to taste)

Steps

1. 1

   Adjust oven rack to the lower-middle position and preheat the oven to 275°F (135°C).

2. 2

   Heat 3 tablespoons of the extra-virgin olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat until shimmering.

3. 3

   Add the finely chopped onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 3 to 5 minutes.

4. 4

   Add the minced garlic and a pinch of cayenne pepper; cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.

5. 5

   Add the water, baking soda, and trimmed green beans to the pot and bring the mixture to a simmer.

6. 6

   Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes.

7. 7

   Stir in the tomato paste, the chopped diced tomatoes along with their reserved juice, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper.

8. 8

   Cover the pot and transfer it to the preheated oven.

9. 9

   Cook until the sauce is slightly thickened and the green beans are ultra-tender (they should be easily cut with the side of a fork), about 40 to 50 minutes.

10. 10

    Remove from the oven and stir in the chopped fresh parsley.

11. 11

    Season with red wine vinegar to taste and drizzle with the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil.

12. 12

    Serve the beans warm or at room temperature.

Notes

A dollop of yogurt spooned over the beans adds a nice tang. To make a light entrée, serve the beans with rice or crusty bread. The baking soda helps partially dissolve the pectin in the beans' cell walls, allowing them to soften effectively before the acidic tomatoes are added.

Nutrition per serving

• side dish
• braised
• vegetarian
• vegan
• gluten-free
• dairy-free
• Mediterranean
• healthy