I remember hating courgettes when I was younger, but as part of a resolution to become less picky and teach myself to like vegetables I had dismissed before (and use up some leftover pesto I had) I came up with this recipe. The ingredients are relatively cheap, there are plenty of veggies and the beans provide protein, it comes together easily, and add-ons mean you can adapt it to suit your taste!
Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp olive oil (and extra for drizzling)
- 1 white onion
- 4 garlic cloves
- 1 courgette
- 150g cherry tomatoes
- 1 tin butter beans
- 200ml single cream
- 3 tbsp pesto
- 1 tbsp miso paste
- 100g kale
- ½ lemon juice
- Handful of basil leaves
Instructions:
- Slice the courgette into thick slices lengthwise. Drain the butter beans but keep 150ml of their liquid (bean water). Finely slice the onion and mince the garlic. Cut the cherry tomatoes into halves.
- Drizzle olive oil in a frying pan (that has a lid) on a medium heat. Once hot add the courgettes cut side down and cook them for around 10 minutes (depending on size) until the cut sides are charred to a dark golden brown.
- Once charred put the lid on top, switch off the heat and leave the courgettes to steam for about another 10 minutes until tender.
- Meanwhile, add the tablespoon of olive oil to a large saucepan on a medium heat. Once hot, add the garlic and onion and fry for a few minutes until they have softened up a bit. Add the tomatoes, generously season and turn up the heat to medium-high. Fry the tomatoes for 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a small bowl mix together the bean liquid, pesto and miso.
- Add the butter beans, cream and pesto mix to the pan. Stir and cook for 10 mins to warm it up. Then add the kale and lemon juice, give it a stir and cook for a few more minutes.
- Take off the heat, place the charred courgette on top of the beans, sprinkle with the basil leaves and enjoy! (you can add some roasted pine nuts, a sprinkling of chilli flakes, or more lemon juice if you would like!)
Image provided by Maddie Everett-Heath for The Student.