Description
This Savory Green Beans with Fresh Tomato Sauce recipe features tender green beans cooked to a perfect crisp-tender texture and simmered in a vibrant, homemade fresh tomato sauce. Enhanced with garlic, onion, basil, and a touch of red pepper flakes, this dish serves as a flavorful and healthy side that’s easy to prepare and packed with fresh, garden-inspired ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 1 pound Fresh Green Beans (Look for bright green and firm beans.)
- 4 medium Fresh Tomatoes (Preferably heirloom or vine-ripened, peeled and diced.)
- 3 cloves Garlic (Minced.)
- 1 medium Onion (Finely chopped, yellow or white onion.)
- 1 handful Fresh Basil (Roughly chopped.)
Others
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil (Extra virgin olive oil.)
- 1 teaspoon Salt (Adjust to taste.)
- 0.5 teaspoon Black Pepper (Freshly ground.)
- 1 pinch Red Pepper Flakes (Optional, for heat.)
Instructions
- Prepare the Green Beans: Wash and trim the ends of the green beans to remove any stems or tough tips, then set them aside.
- Blanch and Peel Tomatoes: Blanch the tomatoes by briefly placing them in boiling water for 30 seconds, then immediately transferring them to cold water to loosen the skins. Peel the skins off and chop the tomatoes finely.
- Sauté Onions: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until they become translucent, soft, and fragrant.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute, taking care not to burn it to retain its aroma.
- Simmer Tomato Sauce: Pour the chopped tomatoes into the skillet and reduce the heat to a simmer. Let the mixture cook for 10-15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Season the Sauce: Add salt, freshly ground black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Stir to combine and adjust seasoning to taste.
- Cook Green Beans: In a separate pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add the trimmed green beans and cook for about 3-4 minutes until they are tender yet still crisp.
- Shock the Beans: Drain the green beans and immediately transfer them to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process, preserving their bright color and crisp texture.
- Combine Beans and Sauce: Drain the green beans from the ice water. Add them into the skillet with the tomato sauce and heat through for 2-3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
- Add Fresh Basil and Serve: Stir in the roughly chopped fresh basil for a bright herbal note. Serve the dish warm as a delicious and healthy side.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, increase the amount of red pepper flakes according to your preference.
- Peeling the tomatoes is essential to avoid a tough skin texture in the sauce.
- Blanching the green beans quickly ensures they maintain a pleasant crunch and vibrant color.
- This dish can be served as a side with grilled meats or as part of a vegetarian meal.
- Fresh basil adds a fresh aroma; dried basil can be used but add less as it’s more concentrated.
