White bean, tapenade & aubergine salad

This is a lovely, earthy and filling summer main course, perfect with a large green salad and maybe something stodgey like a baked sweet potato or some squash wedges.  Best eaten warm or at room temperature, rather than straight from the fridge.

 

 

 

 

 

 

For 2:

400g cooked, drained white haricot, cannellini or butter beans – rinsed and drained from a tin, or home-cooked (200g raw weight will give you 400g after overnight soaking and cooking)
1 medium aubergine, cut in 1cm slices and grilled till golden (about 5 minutes each side, I find)
1 dsp chopped red onion (use
1 dsp black olive tapenade from a jar
Large pinch cayenne pepper (optional)
1 tbsp chopped parsley, chives or basil (optional)
Extra virgin olive oil to drizzle

1. In a medium bowl mix the onion, tapenade, chopped herbs and cayenne with a small drizzle of olive oil.
2. Cut the aubergine into bite size pieces and add, with the white beans, to the tapenade mix.
3. Mix well and serve.

Tip: Buy parsley fresh, chop and store in a box or bag in the freezer.  That way it’s instantly available all the time.

Why this is good for you:
Olives and olive oil are rich in vitamin E which helps moisturise your skin from within and also aids weight management.  Yes, adding extra virgin olive oil to your diet has been proven to aid weight loss!  Red onion is rich in quercitin, which helps alleviate allergies.  White beans are rich in protein at around 8%, and soluble fibre, all of this keeps you fuller longer.  Soluble fibre also feeds beneficial bacteria which you need for your digestive wellness, mental health and perfect skin.  White haricot beans are a fantastic source of molybdenum, which can help support liver function.  Poor skin, low energy, or who has chemical sensitivities can be signs that your liver is under pressure, struggling to meet the detoxification demands of your everyday life and might need more nutrients.   Fresh or frozen parsley helps your kidneys to flush out toxins.  It’s also rich in iron.