Butter Beans with Feta & Dill 

Serves: 4 people
Prep time: 5 minutes 
Cook Time: 10-12 minutes

With an effort to add more beans into our lives (perhaps after watching a few episodes of Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones! ) we created this recipe using large & creamy Butter Beans!  With their mild & creamy flavour and high protein content, we didn't need too much more to make this a delicious light lunch, side dish or even a substantial dinner on a hot day with some crusty bread.  

We used 2 cans of Organic Butter Beans, enough for 4 decent servings.  For the tomato, a combination of both Concentrated Tomato Paste and fresh tomatoes made for a sauce with a really good amount of umami.   If you don't have fresh, ripe tomatoes, good quality canned tomatoes will be perfect (we love this brand!) 

Finished with some baby spinach, fresh dill and feta cheese, this dish has definitely become a part of our regular recipe roster! 

Recipe: 

1/4 cup good quality olive oil
1 small onion, finely diced
1-2 cloves garlic, finely sliced or chopped 
pinch of chili flakes 
2 tbsp. tomato paste 
2 cups crushed or freshly grated tomatoes
A good handful or two of baby spinach 
2 cans Butter Beans, rinsed and drained well
A handful of fresh dill, finely chopped
1/2 cup or so of crumbled feta cheese (as much as you love!) 
Kosher salt, as needed 
Extra olive oil, for serving

1. Preheat a large frying pan/skillet over medium heat. 
2. Add olive oil, followed by the onion.  Season with salt and fry until golden. 
3. Add garlic and chilies and fry for 1 minute. 
4. Stir in tomato paste, distributing it well and fry until deep in colour.  
5. Add in crushed tomatoes.  Simmer, still over medium heat, until reduced and thickened, 3-4 minutes.  
6. Stir in spinach and beans.  Simmer for 3-4 minutes. 
7. Off the heat, stir in dill, reserving a little to sprinkle on just before serving.  
8. Divided amongst warm bowls and garnish with feta cheese, a sprinkle more dill and drizzled with olive oil.  

If this recipe is your thing, check out our Greek Feta Bake Class!