Fasolakia-Greek String Beans

Don't you love simple, quick recipes that also happen to be gluten free? Fasolakia, is one of my favorite side dishes to prepare, it is tasty, healthy, and gluten free, no need for any substitutions. 

Married into a Greek family, I have sampled many delicious Greek recipes. Fasolakia, Greek String Beans, is a classic Greek side dish, one that you will find on many Greek restaurant menus and on the family dinner table.


I picked up these beautiful fresh string beans from the local farm and couldn't wait to prepare my version of Fasolakia.

The hardest part of this recipe is removing the stems from the beans. I have found the fastest & easiest way to do this is to use your kitchen sheers. Hold a handful of beans at a time and snip off both ends with the sheers. Quick and neat!

Fasolakia
1/4 cup olive oil
1 large Vidalia or sweet onion, minced
2 cloves of garlic, minced
2 lbs. fresh green string beans, ends removed and rinsed
1 -14 oz can diced tomatoes ( I love the fennel and red pepper flavor, but plain will be fine)
1/2 can water
1 tsp Italian seasoning
Salt/pepper to taste
Grated parmesan cheese

Trim the ends of the beans and rinse. Sauté the onion and garlic in the olive oil until softened. Add the diced tomatoes, water, beans, Italian seasoning and water. Stir. Cover and let simmer until the beans are tender, about 30 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. If you are looking for a dish with crisp beans, this isn't it-the beans need to be cooked until they are very tender and have soaked up the tomatoes.

Sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese. Wonderful alone or over brown rice, a great way to use the leftovers for lunch the next day!

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