Butter Beans With Mint Food

BUTTER BEANS WITH BUTTER, MINT, AND LIME

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, bring 6 cups water and 1 tablespoon salt to a boil over high heat. Add butter beans and cook until tender, 9-12 minutes, depending on the size of the beans. Drain in a colander; shake colander several times to shed as much water as possible.
• Put butter in a large serving bowl, and pour warm butter beans on top. Toss beans with butter until all the butter is melted. Add lime juice and toss again to distribute. Fold in mint, season with salt and pepper, and scatter lime zest over the top. Serve immediately.

BUTTER BEAN-AND-MINT PILAF

Steps:

• Fill a small saucepan two-thirds full with water, and bring to a boil over high heat. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 sprig of thyme, 2 bay leaves, and shell beans. Bring to a simmer, and then reduce heat slightly. Cook until beans are tender, about 25 minutes. Let cool in cooking liquid. Drain, reserving some of the cooking liquid.
• Bring stock to a simmer in a small saucepan over medium-high heat.
• Meanwhile, in a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add onion, carrot, and celery; cook, stirring, until slightly softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Add remaining 2 sprigs thyme, bay leaf, mint, and rice; stir to coat.
• Add simmering stock mixture to rice mixture and stir. Cover, reduce heat to low, and cook until rice is tender, 16 to 18 minutes. Transfer mixture to a large bowl; loosely cover to keep warm.
• Place the beans, remaining tablespoon butter, and 2 tablespoons cooking liquid inside a small saucepan set over medium-low heat. Cook until warmed through. Tear mint leaves and add to beans; season with salt and pepper. Fold bean mixture into rice mixture and serve immediately, drizzled with mint oil if desired.

BRAISED COD WITH BUTTER BEANS & MINT

Steps:

• Heat oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4. Check the cod for bones and remove if necessary. Heat the oil in a flameproof casserole, add the spring onions, saffron and garlic, then cook over a low heat for 1-2 mins until soft.
• Add the butter beans and stock, then bring to the boil and season. Nestle the cod, skin-side up, into the butter beans, then cover and cook in the oven for 10 mins, or until the cod is just done. Lift from the oven and check the seasoning. Add the mint just before serving.
• To serve, put 2 slices of toasted baguette in a bowl, top with butter beans and cod (pulling away the skin if you want) then spoon the cooking juices around the fish. Finish with a dollop of crème fraîche.

BROAD BEANS & PEAS WITH MINT BUTTER

Steps:

• Heat half the butter and fry onions until soft. Add beans and stir. Add stock or water, bring to the boil, cover and cook for 5 mins. Add peas and seasoning and cook for 5 mins until tender. Stir in mint and remaining butter.