Fassoulia (Armenian Green beans with lamb or beef)

My mother used to make this recipe with cut up pieces of beef.  I personally love it with lamb.  This is a healthy, and fairly low calorie meal.  (which is great if you plan on making the previous recipe of Chocolate Silk Pie for dessert!)

1 lb cut up pieces of lean beef or lamb
2 tablespoons oil
2 medium onions, chopped (I am not a big onion fan, so I use about a 1/3rd of that)
1 1/2 teaspoons salt (I used the salt in this recipe)
1/2 teaspoon black pepper (more to taste)
2 garlic cloves, minced.  (my mother used to cut the pieces in larger slivers, so that they could be removed if one wished)
2 lbs of fresh or frozen green beans.  (when my mother used frozen, she used French style)
1 15 oz can diced tomatoes
3 oz tomato paste diluted in cup of water

• In a non-stick skillet, brown meat, stirring frequently.  Drain excess fat.  Place meat in a separate bowl, and set aside
• Using the same skillet, saute onions in olive oil until soft and slightly brown
• Return meat to skillet.  Add salt, pepper and garlic.  Cover and cook for 10 more minutes.
• In a large pot, add the green beans, tomatoes and diluted tomato paste.  Stir
• Add the meat mixture to the green beans and mix together
• Bring to a gentle boil, then cover and simmer for 1 hour, or until beans are tender.  Add more water if needed.
• Serve with rice, bulgur (cracked wheat) or crusty bread. (bulgur can be found where quinoa or other grains are sold)

** My mother used to take cut of squares of bread and saute them in butter until crunchy.  She then added them to the cooked bulgur.  She called them "squigglies."

-Queenie Cuisine