Butter beans
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These are large, flat beans, cream in colour.
Boiled on their own (as I remember them at school) they do tend to be dull; but they make a good thick soup, and are useful if haricot beans are unavailable as they respond well to a well-flavoured vinaigrette dressing with lots of chopped shallots and parsley strewn over.
Serves 12Mixed Vegetable Salad a la Grecque
A great way to add lots of vegetables and pulses to a buffet spread - and so easy you can make it well in advance.
Serves 3-6Aubergines Amalfitane
This lovely, Italian-inspired aubergine recipe is the essence of late-summer eating and would be a good addition to your barbecue repertoire.
Serves 4Anchoïade with Toasted Goats' Cheese Croutons
Anchovies, mi-cuit tomatoes, olives, oregano: all strong flavours, but combine them in a processor and you end up with this lovely pate-like result. Spread it on to toasted bread for a type of bruschetta - useful as nibbles at a party.
Serves 4Lemon Pasta with Herbs and Cracked Pepper
Light and fresh with zingy citrus and herbs: what more could you want from a veggie pasta dish when you're hungry but don't have much time to cook?
Serves 2 as a snack lunchMarinated Mozzarella with Avocado
An Italian classic with an unbeatable vinaigrette, this lovely summery vegetarian dish demands to be eaten outside with plenty of crusty bread. Try to find the very best-quality mozzarella you can, ideally buffalo.
