Red Kidney Bean Salad

Ingredients: Serves 6

1 1/2 cup Red Kidney Beans
3 fresh thyme sprigs
2 bay leaves
1 onion, halved
4 garlic cloves, crushed
1 1/2 tsp crushed cumin seeds
3 spring onions (scallions),finely chopped
6 tbsp olive oil
1 pickled cucumber, roughly chopped
salt and ground black pepper

Method:

1.Put the beans in a bowl with plenty of cold water and leave to soak overnight. Drain, transfer to a pan and cover with fresh water. Bring to the boil and boil rapidly for 10 minutes.

2.Reduce the heat and add the thyme,bay leaves and onion. Simmer very gently for about 1 hour,untill tender.Drain and discard the herbs and onions.

3.Place the beans in a large bowl. Mix together the garlic,cumin seeds,spring onions, parsley, lemon juice and oil in a small bowl, and add little salt and pepper. Pour over the beans and toss the ingredients lightly together.

4.Gently stir in the pickled cucumber. Serve immediately.

Tips:

Instead of red kidney beans you can use dried broad beans or black beans.