Loubieh ‘b Zeit

Loubieh 'b Zeit in a bowl with a spoon.
Loo-bee, Loubie Bziet, Green Beans with Oil.
 
Loubieh is one of my favorites, and most likely the easiest, recipes to make from the MGL Kitchen. Even those who claim they are unskilled in the kitchen cannot mess this one up. 
 
This dish would typically be served alongside meat, like Kibbeh, and with a salad like tabouleh or salata (a simple salad with a strong lemon-garlic dressing).
 
My perfect pairing is wrapping some beans in a piece of pita with fresh basket cheese.
Black & white drawing of green beans

Loubieh ‘b Zeit

Green Beans with Oil.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine Mediterranean
Servings 6

Equipment

  • 1 large saucepan

Ingredients
  

  • 2 lbs fresh green beans
  • 1 small onion
  • 1 large can of whole tomatoes
  • 2 tbsp neutral cooking oil
  • salt and pepper

Instructions
 

  • Wash and trim your beans, dice your onion.
  • Saute onion in oil over medium heat until fragrant and translucent
  • Add the green beans to the pot
  • Add canned tomatoes, salt, and pepper.
  • Add water if needed (I always add at least a cup)
  • Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 30 minutes, or until the beans are tender.

Video

@mglkitchen

Loubieh ‘b Zeit. Green beans with oil, onion, and tomatoes. Check out the full recipe at FREDSTORIES.COM/GRANDMOTHERSKITCHEN #cooking #food #lebanesefood #mglk #mglkitchen #fyp #lebaneseamerican #716 #fredonia #loubieh #vegetarian #vegan

♬ Chopin Nocturne No. 2 Piano Mono - moshimo sound design

Notes

Serve with white rice, pita, or as a side dish.

My grandmother SWEARS it is better cold the next day. I agree that it is better the next day, but I don’t know about eating it cold. Maybe I’ll have to give it a try.

WHAT KIND OF TOMATOES?

Fresh tomato sauce is always best, but sometimes we have to use what we have on hand. My great-grandmother always used a can of whole, peeled tomatoes and crushed them by hand. I personally do not like chunky tomatoes, so I opt for crushed or diced when possible. Do not use stewed tomatoes, as they usually have extra seasoning that they are cooked with.

The flavors in this recipe are simple, but that’s the point. Not every dish needs to be an over-the-top burst of creativity. When my family came over to America, they did not always have access to the ingredients needed and had to opt for the next best thing. Using what you have to make the best dish possible is more important than any price tag that you could put on it.

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Check out some more of our recipes here

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