Comforting and aromatic, butter beans gently simmered with garlic compliment a main course or is wonderful as a healthy lunchbox addition.
Ingredients:
- 250g butter beans (soaked overnight)
- 2-3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 bay leaves
- 600ml filtered water
- 1 clove garlic, finely sliced
- 4 sage leaves, roughly chopped
- juice of 1/2 a lemon
- freshly ground peppercorn
- sea salt
- 2-3 tablespoons chives to garnish
- Soak the butter beans overnight, then drain.
- In a large saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil, add the butter beans and cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes.
- Add the bay leaves and water and bring to the boil. Reduce heat and simmer gently, covered, for about 40 minutes, or until the beans are tender. Drain, reserving the cooking liquid.
- In the same pan, heat the remaining oil, add the garlic and sage. cook over a medium heat until sizzling. Stir in the beans and cook, covered, over a low heat for a few minutes. As they become dry, add a few spoonfuls of the cooking liquid.
- Add the lemon juice and season to taste. Garnish with chives and serve warm.
