Greek Green beans (Fasolakia Ladera)

Greek Green Beans (Fasolakia Ladera) are one of the most common traditional ‘Ladera’ or ‘Lathera’ dishes. Fresh crisp juicy Fasolakia cooked in juicy tomatoes, sauteed with onions and garlic is the perfect vegetarian (and vegan) Greek dish.

What are Ladera dishes?

The word ladera originates from the word ‘ladi’ or ‘lathi’ which in Greek is oil. Ladera dishes are dishes cooked in oil. They consist of a group of vegetarian and vegan dishes containing vegetables cooked in tomato, garlic, onion and oil. Don’t forget to check out my briam and Vegan Imam Bayildi recipe which I’m sure you will also love.

Greek Green Beans (Fasolakia) is a simple yet flavoursome vegan (and vegetarian) dish ready in no time. The secret to this Fasolakia recipe lays on the simplicity of its ingredients. Fresh green beans, combined with fresh tomatoes cooked in extra virgin olive oil with onions and garlic.

This authentic, traditional recipe is best when prepared with fresh beans. These are rich in vitamins (A, C,K) and nutrients (iron, calcium, folate). These do remain even after cooking!

Can I make them with frozen beans?

Yes you can! While nothing beats the juiciness, crispiness of fresh green beans in this simple Greek dish, fresh produce from your garden or your local farmer’s market can only remain fresh for so long! Thus, you can, indeed, prepare this traditional flavoursome dish with frozen green beans. As frozen green beans are frozen immediately, they retain their vitamins and nutrients much better than fresh ones, especially over longer periods of time.

When preparing this flavoursome vegan dish with frozen green beans, remember to add less water in the pot as the frozen vegetables will thaw and introduce water into the pot.

How to serve this Greek green beans (Fasolakia Ladera)?

I love serving my Greek green beans (Fasolakia) as a main or side dish and taste their best when warm. Garnish them with Feta cheese and serve them with lots of bread to mop up those wonderful juices.

Green Beans (Fasolakia Ladera)

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Serves: 4 Prep Time: 10 Minutes Cooking Time: 40 Minutes 40 Minutes

Ingredients

• 700-900gr green beans, trimmed (can use frozen green beans)
• 50-70mls olive oil
• 700ml water ( or chicken stock)
• 1 large onion
• 1 potato (optional)
• 1 small clove of garlic
• 1 can of plum tomatoes or 3 large fresh tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon tomato paste
• parsley
• sweet paprika
• black pepper
• salt

Instructions

• Assemble your ingredients.
• Wash the green beans under running water and trim them.
• Wash and peel the potato. Dice the potato into small cubes ( the average size of a half an egg).
• Heat oil in a pot and sautee the onion for 2-3 minutes until they turn light brown. Carry on by adding sweet paprika, stir and add the green beans. Continue to stir
• Add  100mls of warm water  in the pot, cover with the lid and let them steam for approximately 15minutes.
• Continue by adding another 600mls of warm water ( or 600mls chicken stock) along with the tomatoes, tomato paste, garlic, spices, parsley and potato (optional).
• Cook over  medium to high heat until they green beans turn tender. This will take approximately  40-45 minutes. Please bear in time that cooking time depends on the size and quality of the green beans you have. For example, larger  green beans will require a longer cooking time.