Green Beans & Tomatoes with Nicoise Dressing

  • 4

Ingredients

  • 3 cups green beans
  • 2 very ripe tomatoes
  • 1 tablespoon capers, soaked in loads of water
  • 1 clove of garlic, crushed
  • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • a small bunch of fresh basil
  • 1 tablespoon mixed olives, chopped
  • 2 cups halved or quartered cherry tomatoes, chopped
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper

Preparation

Step 1

Trim the beans.

Slice the tomatoes in half and extract all the juice by forcing it through a strainer into a bowl. Add the capers, garlic, vinegar, oil and basil leaves. Blend with an immersion blender or in a blender.

Bring a saucepan of salted water to a boil, then add the beans and cook for about 3 minutes, until tender (just past the squeaky stage). Drain well.

While the beans are still hot, toss them in a bowl with the tomato dressing, chopped olives, and tomatoes. Season well.

If you can find them, use salted capers, because they have a better flavor, but they will need soaking and rinsing before using.

This makes a good meal with a poached egg on top.

Toast some chunks of stale ciabatta in a medium-hot oven to make croutons and toss in the tomato dressing above. Yum.

Use grilled zucchini or grilled eggplants in place of the green beans.