Harissa Baked Butter Beans

This has become a staple dish recently. It is hearty and healthful in equal measure and has a chilli kick that I find hard to resist. The key here is to invest in good quality ingredients. You won’t find better harissa than Belazu. I use their smoked chilli harissa for this which brings a wonderful fiery smokiness that is perfect with the plump creamy beans. Make sure you look for jarred beans as opposed to canned. The bigger the butter bean the better. I’ve used a British soft cheese called Graceburn to finish this. It is wonderfully creamy and is less aggressive in its saltiness than feta. I do recommend trying it, but failing that a full-fat feta will do. This baked butter bean dish is delicious enjoyed as cold leftovers or reheated in the oven.

Ingredients

| Serves – 2 - 4 |

1 fennel, quartered
1 small onion finely sliced
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 can chopped tomatoes
2 tbsp smoked chilli or rose harissa, I use Belazu
(1 tsp smoked paprika if you are not using smoked chilli harissa)
1 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp red wine vinegar
100g taggiasche or kalamata olives
600g good quality jarred butter beans, I like Bold Bean Co.
100g Graceburn cheese or full fat feta
parsley or dill to serve

Method

Preheat the oven 220° fan setting.
Cut fennel into wedges, and place in a deep oven-proof dish large enough to hold the beans. Toss with a good drizzle of olive oil and sea salt and bake for 20 mins whilst you make the sauce.
In a large, deep saucepan, heat 1tbsp oil. Add the onion and cook for about 5mins until softened. Then add the garlic and cook for a further minute.
Add the chopped tinned tomatoes, harissa, vinegar, and sugar. Stir to combine, then stir through the olives. Bring to the boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 10 mins stirring occasionally until slightly reduced.
Drain and rinse the butterbeans. Add these to the sauce and stir to combine.
Spoon the baked butter beans into the dish with the fennel and toss gently to combine. Return to the oven for 15-20 mins until the sauce is bubbling.

For more lunch recipes try this Manchego, Leek, Tart or these Brothy Beans with Onion Squash.