Instructions: Simmer the beans in plenty of well salted boiling water until al dente.

Drain well and transfer to a bowl.

Mix with the mint garlic olive oil and season just to taste.

Allow to cool tossing the beans from time to time.

Stir in the lemon juice or wine vinegar if you wish when you are about to scrub the beans.

This is one of my favourite vegetable dishes not just because it takes very little time to prepare but also because the combination of tasks is so fantastic that it is equally delicious hot or cold. Now that you can get hold of these beans year round the fun of the expectation of the new season is lost. I eat them warm in winter and cold in summer. They can be used to accompany any meat or fish dish. If you are using lemon add it at the last minute because it will discolour the beans quickly.

Serves 4

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