Yet another version of String Beans as adapted from memories of growing up in the Caribbean. Pali (my nickname for Zyair Rook) and I were busy cleaning the weeds in the garden when we noticed that the beans we planted mid-spring had a bunch of beans ready for harvest. We harvested and cooked!
You’ll Need…
1 lb string beans
2 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 lb salted cod (prepared)
1 medium tomato (diced)
1 medium onion (sliced)
2 scallions (chopped)
1/2 bell pepper (sliced)
4 sprigs thyme
2 tablespoon water
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
4-6 cloves garlic (diced)
Note! If doing this recipe gluten free please go through the full list of ingredients to make sure they meet with your specific gluten free dietary requirements. I used Salted Cod, but you can use your fav dry/salted fish. There were no spicy peppers (like Scotch bonnet) used in the recipe as explained in the video below.
Learn how to prepare salted fish for use. << Click To Watch.
Wash the string beans, then remove the ends and discard. Chop or break into 1 to 2 inch pieces and set aside. For the Salted Cod, I placed it in a bowl then added boiling water onto it. When it was cool to touch I squeezed out the water, rinsed with cool water.. squeezed out that water and shredded it into bits. Note that I used boned (boneless) salted Cod, but I still kept an eye out for any bones.
Heat the olive oil in a wide pan on a medium flame, then add the prepared salted Cod, followed by the onion, garlic and black pepper. Reduce the heat to low and cook for 4 minutes. Add the bell pepper (optional), thyme, scallions and should you decide to add any spicy pepper, do so now. Cook a further 3 minutes.
Turn the heat back up to medium and add the prepared String Beans (French beans will work too) and stir well.
Add the water and bring to a boil with the lid on.
Toss in the tomato, turn the heat down to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes with the lid on.
It’s now time to personalize things a bit. Check for salt and add if necessary, I didn’t add any as explained in the video, and should there still be liquid at the bottom of the pot, remove the lid (as I did) and cook a further 5 minutes with the lid off.
Personally I like the beans with a slight bit of body. We had it with Sada Roti in case you’re curious. But it’s just as delicious as a topping for steaming rice.
