Runner bean ratatouille

Runner bean ratatouille is a delicious way to prepare runner beans which are to be served hot as an accompaniment to meat or fish.  It can also be served cold as a salad or even a tapas dish.

Preparation Time             15  Mins

Cooking Time                 45  Mins

Elapsed Time                   1  Hrs

Ingredients

For     4  portions

1                    Bay leaf

2 cloves           Garlic  - chopped

3 tbs               Olive oil

1                    Onion  - chopped roughly

                      Pepper

400 gms          Runner beans  - sliced diagonally into 1 cm lengths

                      Salt

3 sprigs           Thyme

6                    Tomatoes  - chopped roughly

Method

Heat the oil in a heavy saucepan.  Add the onion and sweat until translucent. Add the beans, tomatoes, garlic and herbs.

Cover and simmer for 30-40 minutes until the beans are soft and the sauce is thick – if it is still thin, remove the pan lid and let it bubble until it reaches the right consistency.