Fasolakia Lathera: Greek Green Bean Stew
Fasolakia is a Greek vegan green bean stew with potatoes, tomatoes, and of course lots of good olive oil. Typical of Greek cuisine, fasolakia is an easy, simple, healthy, and delicious comfort food. The full name of this dish is actually Fasolakia Ladera me Patates (Φασολάκια λαδερά με πατάτες). Fasolakia (the emphasis is on the “la”) stands for green beans, me means with, patates are the potatoes, and Lathera describes the preparation method, namely an oily tomato sauce. Let me show you how to easily cook the best and so tasty Greek green beans and potatoes (and if you like with vegan feta on top, mmmh) …
Lathera
“Lathera” (actually Ladera, but in English mostly written with th) means “oily” and is typical of traditional Greek cuisine. Lathera dishes are vegetable dishes that are cooked in plenty of olive oil in a pot (or a larger pan) or braised in the oven.
You start by stewing onions in the best (Greek) extra virgin olive oil. Then there are fresh tomatoes (I also add tomato paste as Austrian tomatoes are never as full of flavor than the ones who saw the Greek sun), and vegetables. In the case of Fasolakia these are green beans and since we cook the “me patates” version, potatoes are also added. Also, some water, herbs (thyme, oregano, bay leave, and I also love to add a bit of chili), of course salt, and pepper, and at the end of the cooking time more olive oil.
Incidentally, in winter I usually use canned tomatoes and frozen green beans. Not in the spirit of fresh Greek cuisine, but believe me: better that way than no Fasolakia at all!
The ingredients and the preparation are very simple and easy, but by no means quick, because the vegetables always simmer comfortably – typical Greek “siga siga” (slowly, slowly, just don’t stress).
I know this method of preparation from other dishes, like the mixed vegetable stew “Briam”, I’ve eaten okra (also called lady fingers) cooked like this before or the beloved Greek giant beans “Gigantes” (I linked my recipe, which I once posted on Instagram).
What goes with Fasolakia?
If you ask yourself what to serve with Fasolakia, then you could add bread and vegan feta cheese. That’s how lathera dishes are usually served. I add feta when I happen to have made a vegan feta cheese myself. Vegan sour cream is also a good fit. The bread, preferably white bread, is a must, because it is used to suck the oily tomato sauce off the plate and enjoy it together. Else, nothing more is added, because Fasolakia is a main course in its own.
Kali orexi!
This blog is still quite young, but the Greek spinach rice spanakorizo, the spinach strudel spanakopita, the vegan feta, and also a vegan tzatziki are already a part of here. As you can see, I love Greek cuisine.
If you are also such a big fan of the Greek cuisine, then also take a look at my Instagram page. There you will also find the previously mentioned giant beans Gigantes. Also, the most delicious fava (a kind of Greek hummus) and a vegan option for Avgolemono, an incredibly good soup made with orzo, chickpeas, lemon and tahini.
In any case, have fun cooking and “kali orexi” – bon appétit!
You might also like to eat …
Fasolakia Lathera: Greek Green Bean Stew
Ingredients
- 500 g green beans fresh or frozen
- 1 onion large
- 4 cloves garlic
- 350 g potatoes
- 400 g tomatoes fresh or from a tin
- 10 tbsp olive oil Greek, extra virgin
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1/2 cup water see notes
- 3/4 tsp salt
- black pepper
- 1 tsp oregano fresh or dried
- 1/2 tsp thyme fresh or dried
- 1 bay leaf
- vegan feta optional
Instructions
- Cut off the ends of both sides of your green beans (and cut them into two parts, if they are very long), finely chop the onion and garlic, peel and cut the potatoes into smaller pieces, and also chop your tomatoes.
- Heat 8 tbsp olive oil in a bigger pan or pot and add the onions.
- After a minute or two, add the garlic. Fry a bit more until the onion pieces turn translucent (both shall not turn brown).
- Then add the tomato paste, and tomato pieces, and stir.
- Next, add the potatoes and water (the potatoes shall mostly be covered). Also add salt, pepper, oregano, thyme, and the bay leaf. Cover and let it cook for about 15 min.
- Now add the green beans and let everything cook for 20 more minutes. Stir in between and check if more water is needed. It shouldn't swim in water but it shouldn't be completely dry, a little bit of sauce is what we want.
- When the beans and potatoes are nicely soft, switch off the stove and add the remaining 2 tbsp of olive oil.
- Serve your Fasolakia with white bread (to soak it with the delicious oily "Lathera"), and if you like, some vegan feta (on top).
Notes
- That’s a Greek dish, don’t be greedy with olive oil!
- Use less water if you use frozen beans, start with 1/4 cup, and add more water only if needed.
Your Fazolakia Lathera is a wonderfully light yet filling winter comfort food. Thank you for the clear instructions to prepare this recipe! We loved it!
Efraristo poli – thank you very much. 🙂 I am more than happy that you liked it too so much.
Hello . Can you freeze this dish ?
Hello Carol, yes, that’s theoretically possible – if you don’t use frozen beans, as frozen food shouldn’t be thawed and frozen again.