Fasolakia Ladera Recipes

GREEK GREEN BEANS (FASOLAKIA)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.
• In a large Dutch Oven, heat 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil over medium heat. Add the onions and cook until tender, stirring occasionally (about 5 mins). Then add the garlic, cumin, and oregano. Cook another 2 mins, stirring regularly, until fragrant.
• Add tomatoes, water, bay leaf, beans, and potatoes. Season with salt and pepper. Raise the heat and bring to a high simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Cover and transfer to the heated oven. Cook until the sauce slightly thickens, and the beans and potatoes can easily be cut with side of your fork; about 35 minutes or so. (It's a good idea to check once partway through cooking, add a little bit of water if needed.)
• Remove from oven and stir in 2 tbsp lemon juice and chopped fresh parsley. Stir in a generous drizzle of olive oil (at least another 1/4 cup).
• Serve immediately with Greek pita bread or your favorite rustic bread to sop up the sauce!

FASOLAKIA LADERA

Steps:

• Heat oil in heavy large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
• Add onion and saute 5 minutes.
• Add green beans and cayenne pepper and saute until onion is translucent, about 3 minutes.
• Add potatoes and parsley.
• Pour tomato paste over vegetables.
• Bring to boil.
• Reduce heat.
• Cover and simmer until potatoes are tender, stirring frequently, about 45 minutes.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Remove from heat.
• Serve warm or at room temperature.

FASOLAKIA LADERA (GREEN BEANS STEW)

Steps:

• If using fresh beans cut off the tips on both ends and if necessary remove strings along the edges.
• Heat the olive oil in a pan and fry the onions and garlic until softened.
• Add the beans and fold gently a few times until beans soften up a bit.
• Add the tomatoes, salt, pepper & paprika and 300 ml of boiling water, bring to the boil and simmer for half an hour.
• Add potatoes and make sure they are just covered in the water. (Add more boiling water if necessary). Cover pan and simmer for 1-1½ hours or until potatoes are very soft.
• Turn heat off and stir in the cinnamon. DO NOT ommit the cinnamon. This is what makes this dish really special.
• Garnish with parsley (optional) and serve with fresh bread and feta cheese.
• Can also be eaten cold.