Blanch the beans ahead then finish the colourful dish off just before serving.
Everyday green beans become absolutely glamorous when perked up with gremolada, a garnish of herb, citrus and garlic.
This great way to enjoy garden fresh green beans is adapted from a recipe of Stella Nedovich of Toronto.
Mild, buttery lima beans, available frozen in supermarkets, lend a lovely pale green colour and rich texture to this dip, which is equally good made with chickpeas or white beans. Zahtar is a Middle Eastern spice mixture that's available at Middle Eastern grocers, but is a cinch to make yourself. Increase the jalapeño peppers to two, if you enjoy the heat.
Creole food reflects the combination of French, Spanish and African cuisines. Serve these tasty beans over steamed rice. For an authentic touch, lightly dust each serving with filé powder, a creole seasoning made of ground dried leaves of the sassafras tree. Before starting the recipe, you'll need to soak the beans overnight.
The savoury flavour of black bean sauce with the freshness of asparagus makes this an all-in-one addictive treat.
Serve with: Garden salad. Beans are packed with both soluble and insoluble fibre, which can help to keep your digestive system regular, regulate blood sugar, lower cholesterol and protect against some cancers.
The longer this quick-and-easy salad stands, the more flavour the beans absorb. For best results, make it a day ahead and serve at room temperature.
A whisper of hot pepper sparks this mix of beans and tomatoes. If you like, a garnish of shaved Parmesan cheese would be attractive and tasty.
Orange and honey balance the saltiness of the black bean garlic sauce. This pungent but delicious Chinese sauce is available in the Asian section of most supermarkets.
