Minty Green Flageolet Beans

Ingredients

• 1
  
  cup dried flageolet beans
  
• ~4
  
  cups water
  
• 1
  
  yellow pepper
  
• 1
  
  large shallot
  
• 1/4
  
  cup plus 2 Tbsp olive oil
  
• 1/2
  
  cup mint leaves
  
• 1/2
  
  cup flat leaf parsley leaves
  
• 
  
  salt and pepper to taste
  

Directions

1. Sort and rinse the beans and soak them for a few hours or overnight until the plum up. Then drain and simmer in about 4 cups water partially covered on very low heat until tender but intact, about 90 minutes, keeping an eye on them to make sure there is still liquid in the pot. Salt generously. Most of the liquid should be absorbed by this point, but if there is still a lot of liquid in the pot drain the beans (and save the flavorful bean liquor for a soup stock).
2. Prepare the caramelized yellow pepper and shallot. Core and seed the pepper and cut into ¼ inch dice. Peel and chop the shallot finely. Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add 2 Tbsp of olive oil and when it starts to shimmer, add the diced pepper and shallot. Cook over medium low heat, stirring frequently, for about 8 minutes until the onion and shallot are very soft and glassy with released sugars. Remove from heat and reserve.
3. Prepare the pesto by combining the mint and parsley leaves, olive oil, salt and pepper in a food processor and processing into a mostly smooth paste with still a little texture.
4. Combine the cooked beans with the caramelized peppers and the mint pesto. Taste and adjust seasonings. Serve warm or at room temperature.