Beans cooked like Small Birds

Description

 * 4 – 6 servings

Ingredients

 * 1.5 kg (3 lbs) fresh white toscanelli (tuscan) beans (or use cannellini beans (small round white beans)
 * 500 g (1 lb) tomatoes
 * 5 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
 * 2 cloves garlic
 * 4 – 5 sage leaves
 * salt
 * freshly ground pepper

Directions

 * 1) Blanch the tomatoes for 30 seconds in water then drain, peel and seed.
 * 2) Shell the beans and boil in slightly salted water for 1 hour 30 minutes.
 * 3) Heat the oil in a pan, add the sage leaves, peeled garlic and a pinch of pepper and sauté for 2–3 minutes until the garlic is golden brown.
 * 4) Drain the beans and add to the pan; leave for 5 minutes for the flavours to develop, then add the diced tomatoes.
 * 5) Season with salt, mix, then cook, covered, for about 20 minutes or until the sauce is thick.