Turkish Style Green Beans

This is a very flavorful dish best served chilled!
Serves about 4.
Ingredients:
3 Tbsp olive oil
1 medium sized onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, chopped
1 lb fresh green beans, ends trimmed and cut in about 2 inch pieces
3 medium tomatoes, diced or 14 oz diced canned tomatoes
1/4 tsp oregano
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
2 Tbsp tomato paste
1/2 tsp salt (more or less to taste)
1/4 tsp pepper
pinch of sugar
1 cup water

Directions:
Saute the chopped onion over medium heat in the olive oil until softened, about 5 minutes.  Add the garlic and saute for another minute, then add the rest of the ingredients and bring to a boil over med-high heat, reduce heat to med-low and simmer covered for about 2 hours stirring occasionally. I know this sounds cruel to subject innocent green beans to such heat, but this dish tastes best with soft green beans rather than crunchy ones.  After beans are softened, remove cover and allow some liquid to reduce.  The dish should be slightly saucy, but not too much.  Like mentioned above, this can be eaten warm but tastes better cold.  Usually I make this the night before I want to eat it and let it sit in the fridge overnight. Enjoy!