Long Beans Stew With Ground Beef
When it comes to vegetable dishes in Turkish cuisine, one of the first that comes to mind is green beans. However, there is another member of the same family that is just as delicious and nutritious: fresh long beans. Unfortunately, since they are not widely known outside the Aegean region, they do not get the place they deserve at the table. Yet fresh long beans have great potential in the kitchen, both in terms of flavor and nutritional variety.
Although they look similar to green beans, fresh long beans are thinner and bring a unique aroma that adds a different character to the dish. Rich in fiber, they support the digestive system and help keep you full for a long time. Thanks to minerals such as folic acid, potassium, and iron, they are especially a good option for those who suffer from iron deficiency. Being low in calories also makes them a favorite for those on a diet.
In the kitchen, using fresh long beans is not very different from using green beans. Almost every dish made with green beans with olive oil, stewed green beans with meat, or green beans bulgur pilav can easily be prepared with long beans as well. However, their distinctive flavor can take these classic recipes to a whole new level. This makes them not just an alternative, but a valuable option in their own right.
And for those wondering how to adapt these recipes, here are versions with fresh long beans: olive oil–braised long beans, long beans with meat, and long bean pilaf.
In this recipe, by combining fresh long beans with ground beef, we both enhance its nutritional value and turn it into a satisfying main dish. The ground beef complements the plant-based protein of the long beans, creating a balanced meal. Especially in cases where children (and maybe men, too) have difficulty eating vegetables, pairing them with a familiar and well-liked ingredient like ground beef can make such dishes more appealing to the whole family.
Enjoy…
Ingredients
- 500 g fresh long beans,
- 200 g lean ground beef,
- 1 onion,
- 1 tbsp tomato paste,
- 1 tsp ground red pepper,
- 3–4 tbsp olive oil,
- Salt,
- 500 ml hot water.
Preparation
- Heat the olive oil in a pressure cooker, add the ground beef, and sauté until it releases and reabsorbs its juices,
- Add the finely chopped onion and cook until softened,
- Stir in the tomato paste and sauté until fragrant,
- Add the ground red pepper and mix well,
- Add the trimmed and chopped long beans and stir,
- Pour in the hot water, season with salt, and close the lid,
- Cook over medium heat until the long beans are tender.
Bon appétit…