Lebanese Green Bean Stew Loubia

Prep time 15 minutes | Total Time 45 minutes

This rustic stew is one of my all time favorite Lebanese recipes.

It is simple, delicious, and super heart healthy. An easy modification to the original recipe makes it a protein rich vegan dish.

Ingredients

• 1 pound chopped green beans- use the flat Italian green beans if you can find them!

• 1 medium size onion

• 3-4 tablespoons of tomato paste

• 2 tablespoons of Oil - I use Avocado- but grandma used Olive Oil

• 1-2 Tablespoons of plant based butter- I like Earth Balance or Miyoko’s

• 4 cups of water

• 1-2 teaspoons allspice

• 1 teaspoon dried basil

• salt to taste optional- plant based beef or seitan

• Serve over rice- Grandma says use Uncle Ben’s

Instructions

1. Heat oil in a deep pan or dutch oven over medium low heat for about a minute

2. Add in your chopped onion and saute until golden brown- about 10 minutes or until see through and golden brown

3. Add about 1 tablespoon of plant based butter

4. Add green beans and toss to coat in oil/ butter/ onion mixture

5. Saute for 2-3 minutes until the beans are bright green

6. Add about 4 cups of water- enough to cover the beans- the more you make this the more you can decide what consistency you like

7. Add 3-4 tablespoons of tomato paste - this will be to taste- but I add until the mixture is bright red- mix well

8. Add in a pinch of allspice - up to a teaspoon

9. Add about a teaspoon of basil

10. Cook for about 30-40 minutes over med-low heat - it should be simmering- and partially covered so it can thicken

11. Cook until green beans are soft

12. Add a teaspoon or 1 & 1/2 teaspoons of salt or to taste

13. Serve over rice with pita bread if you want to eat it Lebanese style

Notes and Adjustments!

If you want to add a boost of protein add in plant based meat cubes. (I like Gardein be’f tips) or a package of Seitan- chopped into small cubes. You can also add garbanzo beans which add protein and keep this a plant based whole foods recipe. Enjoy!