We’ve got french beans in our VegBoxes this week, fresh from the farm just next door, Calabaza Growers. This recipe from Jamie Oliver makes the most of this tasty vegetable by keeping things simple. We’ve swapped the shallot that the original recipe called for for one of our white onions, fresh from Sutton Community Farm for a truly local side or starter dish.
Serves: 4
Prep time: 15 minutes
Ingredients:
- 4 handfuls French beans, stalk ends removed
- 2-3 heaped teaspoons French mustard, to taste
- 2 tablespoons good-quality white wine vinegar
- 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- sea salt
- freshly ground black pepper
- 1 small onion, peeled and finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon capers, optional
- ½ clove garlic, finely grated
- 1 small handful fresh chervil, optional
Directions:
Bring a pan of water to a fast boil, add your beans, put a lid on the pan, and cook for at least 4 to 5 minutes. Boiling the beans fast like this helps them to retain all their nutrients. Meanwhile, put the mustard and vinegar into a jam jar or bowl and, while stirring, add the olive oil to make a good hot French dressing. Season carefully with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, then add the finely chopped onion, the capers if you’re using them and the garlic.
Remove one of the beans from the pan to check if it’s cooked. If it holds its shape but is also soft to the bite, it’s perfect. Drain in a colander. Now, while the beans are steaming hot, this is the perfect moment to dress them – a hot bean will take on more of the wonderful dressing than a cold one. It is best to serve the beans warm, not cold, and certainly not at fridge temperature because the flavours will be muted and boring. Serve the beans in a bowl, sprinkled with chervil if you like – it’s a delicate, crunchy herb that goes well with beans. Serve as a salad in its own right, or as an accompaniment to a main meal.