Hearth vegetable plate with white beans and salsa verde

Instructions

1. Step 1

   Cover the dried coco beans with water, and leave to soak overnight

2. Step 2

   The next day, light a barbecue for direct cooking

3. Step 3

   Bring the vegetable stock to the boil and poach the onions for 10-15 minutes, until soft 

4. Step 4

   Remove the onions from the grill, rub lightly with olive oil and cook until caramelised - around 10 minutes 

5. Step 5

   Cut the courgettes in half lengthways, then widthways. Season with salt and drizzle with olive oil, then place onto the hot grill and cook, turning regularly so that they cook evenly, until soft

6. Step 6

   Quarter the aubergine, season with salt and drizzle with olive oil, then place on the hot grill, turning evenly and cooking until soft

7. Step 7

   Top and tail the fennel bulbs, and cut into sixths. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in the skillet, then fry the fennel until coloured on all sides

8. Step 8

   Add a splash of water to the pan, and cook until the fennel softens (approximately 10-15 mins)

9. Step 9

   Drain the beans and place in a pan, then cover with fresh water. Add the roughly chopped onion, carrot and leek, bay leaf, thyme and kombu

10. Step 10

    Bring to the boil, then simmer until cooked - approximately 40 minutes

11. Step 11

    To make the puree, boil the chickpeas in a pan of water with the bay leaves and thyme until soft - approximately 30 minutes

12. Step 12

    Make the confit garlic by placing the garlic cloves into a saucepan and covering with olive oil. Add the thyme and bay leaves and cook very gently on the lowest heat possible for 30 minutes, or until soft. Once the confit garlic has cooled it can be stored in the fridge in its oil 

13. Step 13

    Drain the coco beans, then season well with salt and a drizzle of olive oil

14. Step 14

    To make the salsa verde, combine the parsley, chervil, tarragon and coriander in a blender with the capers, garlic, a good splash of olive oil, lemon juice and some salt. Blend to a paste (make it as chunky or as smooth as you prefer). Once blended, add more lemon juice, olive oil or salt to taste 

15. Step 15

    Drain the chickpeas, reserving 2 tablespoons of the cooking water and discarding the bay leaves

16. Step 16

    In a blender, purée the beans to a soft cream with the reserved cooking liquid and the olive oil, then squeeze in the lemon juice, 2 cloves of confit garlic and salt to taste

17. Step 17

    To finish the dish, divide the vegetables, beans and puree between 4 plates and add as much salsa verde as you like (at least 2 tablespoons). Sprinkle with a pinch of pul biber to finish