Ingredients
450g (1lb) Borlotti or similar fresh beans
1 large or 2 smaller tomatoes
1- 2 cloves of garlic, peeled
fresh sage
water
olive oil
Method
Pod the Borlotti beans and place in a pan. Add the sage, garlic cloves, and whole tomato(es) among the beans. Cover with water and then add olive oil to form a generous layer on top of the water. Bring to the boil and simmer until the skins as well as the insides of the beans are tender – about 40 minutes. The beans should absorb most of the water – add more if necessary, but don’t add salt until the beans are tender as this will toughen the skins. When the beans are done lift out the tomato skins and stir the pot to draw the ingredients together. Season to taste.
Serve with crusty bread or as a side vegetable with new potatoes.