Green Beans The Turkish Way

This recipe for Turkish green beans that I’m about to share with you comes from Baba, my partner’s Turkish father.

His real name isn’t Baba, it’s actually Hallid, but in Turkish, “baba” means “dad” and since my partner has always referred to him as Baba, I’ve grown to call him that too. Baba is an excellent cook. He used to own his own restaurant in Aachen, Germany called Mangal (Turkish for “grill”). It was the only Turkish establishment in the city when he opened and it was an absolute hit. Everyone wanted to dine there.

Nowadays, the restaurant still exists, but Baba no longer owns it and his recipes can’t be found on the menu.

Fortunately, I had the pleasure of spending an entire month with him at his summer home in Turkey. There I learned the ins and outs of some his famous and most favorited recipes. Green beans are one of those.

He’s probably most famous for his baklava, but he still won’t give anyone that recipe… just yet.

Baba’s Turkish Green Beans

Duration: 40mins Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 lb lamb (diced: for vegetarian try flavored soy meat or meat substitute)
• 1 onion (diced)
• 1 lb potatoes (peeled and chopped)
• 4 large carrots (peeled and chopped)
• 2 tbsp tomato paste (or 1 tbsp tomato & 1 tbsp pepper paste)
• 3 lbs fresh green beans
• Spices: salt & pepper, chili flakes, turmeric, paprika

Instructions:

1. Wash the green beans. Then take 2 med-large sized bowls and set on a table in front of you. Snap off the ends, making sure to pull off any connecting strings from the beans and discard into one bowl. Continue to snap the beans into smaller knuckle-sized portions and toss into the 2nd bowl. When finished discard the extra bits and set the freshly snapped beans to the side.
2. Heat the bottom of a pressure cooker on medium heat. Add olive oil & butter.
   *Baba always combines the two when he’s preparing food. Turkish people in general love using butter, but Baba always uses both.
3. Add diced meat (or leave out if opting for vegetarian), color on all sides
4. Add onion & tomato paste. Cook for a few mins, making sure the tomato paste gets spread evenly.
5. Add the chopped carrots and potatoes. Cook another few mins.
6. Throw in the green beans and spices.
7. Stir well and then add enough water to almost cover the beans.
8. Safely lock in the lid to the pressure cooker and cook for 20 mins.
9. Serve immediately with rice.

For Baba’s delicious Turkish rice recipe, click here.