SPICY CANNELLINI BEANS

Cannellini beans are extremely popular in Tuscany, Italy. They have a sublime nutty flavour and firm texture and their skin holds its shape during the cooking process. The wonderful aromas of cumin and garlic add a wealth of flavour to this recipe. Boiling the cannellini beans for 10 minutes or so is essential to remove the toxins and get the beans ready for the recipe.

SERVES 4

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

3 cloves garlic, chopped

1 teaspoon cumin seeds

2 dried red chillies

2 cups boiled cannellini beans

Salt to taste

½ cup mint leaves

Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat and cook the garlic and cumin seeds for 2 minutes. Add the dried red chillies and cook for another minute, stirring.

Add the cannellini beans, ½ cup water and salt and bring the mixture to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer until the flavours are well combined, about 4 to 5 minutes. Garnish with mint leaves and serve hot with rice or flatbread.