Bleeding Espresso

21 January 2009

What’s Cooking Wednesday: Pork, Italian Green Beans, and Potatoes in Tomato Sauce

This week’s What’s Cooking Wednesday recipe is one of my all-time favorites from childhood, i.e., comfort food at its finest. It’s so comforting that I made my mom make it while she was here in June, and this *so* isn’t a warm weather dish.

In fact, Pork, Italian Green Beans, and Potatoes in Tomato Sauce is a great stick-to-your-ribs-meat-and-potatoes meal that you could even throw in a crock pot if you’re a crock pot user.

And if you’re not into the meat thing, I have a feeling this would still be pretty tasty without the pork and with more veggies thrown in.

If you can’t get fresh beans, you can use canned green beans or string beans as well but they won’t need to be cooked nearly as long.

I don’t know of a snappier name than “Pork, Italian Green Beans, and Potatoes in Tomato Sauce” but since it so accurately represents the dish, I’m sticking with it.

Pork, Italian Green Beans, and Potatoes in Tomato Sauce

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound of pork ribs (or other cut on the bone)
1 medium onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 large can and 1 small can of tomatoes
4 small potatoes, peeled and cut into bite-sized chunks
1 pound green beans, washed with ends snapped off
A few basil leaves
Salt to taste
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

1. Parboil beans by bringing water to a boil in a large pot and then adding the beans, letting them cook for about four minutes. Remove and set aside.

2. Heat oil in a saucepan and brown meat on all sides, remove from pan, and set aside. For great tips on browning meat (including why we do it), see Miss Vickie’s How to Brown Meat.

3. Add onion and garlic and saute until translucent.

4. Add tomatoes.

5. Put meat back in the pan and add potatoes and green beans.

6. Add basil and salt.

7. Let simmer for an hour to an hour and a half until meat is cooked and tender.

8. Just a few minutes before you take the pan off the heat, add parmesan cheese and mix through.

9. Serve hot with fresh Italian bread.

Buon appetito!

17 beans of wisdom »

17 beans of wisdom to “What’s Cooking Wednesday: Pork, Italian Green Beans, and Potatoes in Tomato Sauce”

Gil on 21 Jan 2009 at 7:32 am #

Sounds good on this cold night.

I *love* this on a cold night…and then leftover the next day for lunch. YUM!
nyc/caribbean ragazza on 21 Jan 2009 at 9:04 am #

Oops, if this posts twice.

Allora, this dish is something I would definitely call comfort food. Yum!!!

nyc/caribbean ragazza’s last blog post..Tears, fashion and congrats to my sister.

Only posted once, and it’s *so* very comforting indeed
casalba on 21 Jan 2009 at 12:42 pm #

Great recipe, Michelle and WHAT A SPEECH!!

casalba’s last blog post..Award

Thanks, and YES!
My Melange on 21 Jan 2009 at 1:54 pm #

Yum. Just yum.

My Melange’s last blog post..Puccini and Pinot

I’m biased, but I definitely agree
anna l'americana on 21 Jan 2009 at 2:06 pm #

I could use me some cold-weather recipes around now!

anna l’americana’s last blog post..What the……?

This is definitely great in cold weather
shibori girl on 21 Jan 2009 at 3:24 pm #

Ohh…This looks perfect for this frigid cold snap we’ve found ourselves in! Thanks for posting this.

Kate

Hope you enjoy it as much I do Kate
Bluestocking on 21 Jan 2009 at 5:50 pm #

Boy that looks delicious! Now I’m really hungry.

Mangia mangia!
The Food Hunter on 21 Jan 2009 at 6:50 pm #

Looks delicious. We make something similar but with sausage instead of pork ribs.

The Food Hunter’s last blog post..Tim Tam Cookies Have Made It To The US…

Mmmmm sounds great
anne on 21 Jan 2009 at 7:05 pm #

Just right for a cold winters day meal…might have to have more recipes like that up on here. It is so cold here in Oxfordshire.

anne’s last blog post..More from Colletta di Castelbianco, Liguria…

Keep warm Anne! At least February is approaching quickly….
City Girl on 21 Jan 2009 at 7:09 pm #

yum – that looks wonderful

City Girl’s last blog post..What’s Cooking Wednesday – Roasted Asparagus

Thanks! It’s so filling too
jen of a2eatwrite on 21 Jan 2009 at 10:53 pm #

This looks perfect for this time of year!

jen of a2eatwrite’s last blog post..Congratulations, Mr. President!

Warm and hearty indeed Jen
joe@italyville on 22 Jan 2009 at 12:10 am #

sounds heart warming and looks delicious! …. funny you mention crock pots. We used ours for the very first time yesterday! We’ve had it for years… E made Beef stew.

Mmmm I love beef stew
Connie Costa on 22 Jan 2009 at 12:26 am #

Sounds delizioso! Yummm…thanks for the great recipe!!! Can’t wait to make it!!!

Connie Costa’s last blog post..THIGH FACTOR: ITALY VS. USA

Hope you enjoy it Connie!
Chuck on 22 Jan 2009 at 8:54 pm #

Looks and sounds wonderful. I think I’ll try this, perhaps tonight, but will substitute chicken instead of the pork. Thanks for the idea and the visual!

Chuck’s last blog post..Once Upon a Time

Great idea Chuck! Hope you enjoy!
Frances on 23 Jan 2009 at 12:55 am #

I am drooling on my keyboard.
Sounds scrumptious!

Frances’s last blog post..photos from the road

I know, their pastries sound especially lovely, don’t they?!
Imani on 25 Jan 2009 at 10:54 pm #

Ok, Michelle,

Got it cooking on the stove just now…should be ready by 6:30 EST my time…..will let you know how I like it, but it is soooooooooooooooo Italian Grandmotherish, it would be difficult for me to not LOVE it! Got some fresh italian bread ready….Buon apetitto a tutti!

Thanks,
Imani

Oh I sure hope you love it as much as I do….
Kim on 27 Jan 2009 at 4:50 am #

Sounds absolutely delicious. The pork ribs with the tomatoes and spices… wow, wish I had time to work on this recipe tonight.

Kim’s last blog post..Shoreline Realty for New Jersey – Apartments, Property and Homes in Sea Isle County

Hope you get to try it Kim