Stewed Green Beans - South African Farm Recipe

Ingredients

• 14 ounces green beans
• 1 potato, medium, peeled and sliced
• 1 onion, medium, peeled and sliced
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• 1/3 teaspoon white pepper (to taste)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (to taste)
• 1/3 teaspoon nutmeg, as garnish, to taste (optional)
• butter, to taste

Directions

1. 1

   Wash and tail beans. Please note that you could use more; the quantity doesn't matter. If you're cooking for more than 4 people, use more beans and maybe 2 potatoes.

2. 2

   Cut the beans cross-wise into rounds -- anything from thinly sliced to 1" long.

3. 3

   Carry on until all the beans have been cut.

4. 4

   Put in a pot, and slice the peeled potato and onion over the beans.

5. 5

   Add about 1/3 cup water, sugar, white pepper and salt.(Yes, white pepper is the best here, but black pepper is fine). Don't mix: just put lid on and bring to boil, then lower heat and let simmer.

6. 6

   Bring to the boil, lower heat, put lid on, and let the whole lot simmer until everything is very soft.

7. 7

   Using one of those utensils (name?)which you use to mash any vegetable roughly, mash the beans, potato and onion, but don't try to beat it to a pulp -- there should be texture left (see photo's!).

8. 8

   Usually there is a bit too much liquid left. Drain this off -- I use a sieve -- or you can boil it away over high heat, but be careful not to burn the veggies.

9. 9

   Add a good knob of real butter, fork through, and sprinkle with nutmeg to serve.

10. 10

    This simple dish can easily be made ahead and warmed up -- the flavour improves.

11. 11

    Serve as a vegetable side dish.