Black Bean Pate

This is a Greek dish.

200 gm dry weight

Suma FAIRTRADE black beans

medium onion

cloves garlic

150 gm

field mushrooms

100 gm

Traidcraft FAIRTRADE walnuts

12 or more

Greek green olives

FAIRTRADE lemon

5 ml

mixed herbs

Soak the beans overnight in plenty of cold water.

Skin and chop fine the onion and the garlic.

Zest and juice the lemon, discard the pith.

Clean and chop the mushrooms.

Cook the beans in simmering water until soft. 90 minutes or more.

Saute the onions in a little olive oil until soft and add the garlic. Continue frying for a minute or so.

Add the chopped mushrooms and fry for 5 minutes. Add more oil if necessary.

Pulverise the walnuts in a food blender and add the onions / garlic / mushrooms mixture. Blend.

Add the lemon zest and half the lemon juice. Blend

Add the cooked beans. Blend.

Add the olives. Blend.

Season with a little salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Blend. And then taste for balance.

Adjust as necessary with more salt, pepper and lemon juice or olive oil. Turn into a serving dish and chill.

Use as a starter, snack, party dish.

Chili powder may be added for more bite.

Suma Fair Trade Aduki Beans may be used in place of the Black Beans.

Meze: Serve with a FAIRTRADE red.