GREEN BEANS AND TOMATOES

• 1 lb green beans (broader Italian green beans - Romano, Runner - are tastier)
• 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
• 1 1/2 cup tomatoes, fresh or canned
• 3 TBS olive oil
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon or allspice
• 3/4 cup water
• Pinch of hot pepper flakes or freshly ground pepper
• 1/4 tsp salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

1. WASH and break green beans into bite-size pieces.
2. HEAT olive oil in a saucepan.
3. ADD onions and sauté over medium heat till transparent, about 5 minutes.
4. ADD green beans and sauté a further 5 minutes.
5. ADD tomatoes, water, salt and spice.
6. BRING to a simmer, cover and cook till beans achieve desired tenderness, about 1/2 an hour for Italian green beans, less for normal green beans.