Modern French Bean Pudding
A modernized take on a classic French bean pudding, offering two cooking methods: boiling or baking. This recipe transforms older French beans into a savory and subtly sweet dish.
Ingredients
- 1 pound French Beans (Older beans are suitable for this recipe.)
- 2 tablespoons Fresh Savory Herbs (Chopped, such as thyme, rosemary, or parsley)
- 1 teaspoon Sugar (Granulated)
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt (Or to taste)
- 0.25 teaspoon Black Pepper (Freshly ground)
- 1 clove Garlic (Minced (optional))
- 2 Eggs (Large, well-beaten)
- 1 tablespoon Butter (For greasing the basin)
- 1 tablespoon Flour (For dusting the basin (if baking))
Instructions
- 1Trim the French beans, removing the ends and any tough strings. Cut the beans into 1-inch pieces.
- 2Place the cut beans in a pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil and cook until tender, about 15-20 minutes. Drain well.
- 3Mash the cooked beans in a basin until smooth. For a finer texture, rub the beans through a wire sieve to remove any remaining strings.
- 4Add the chopped savory herbs, sugar, salt, pepper, and garlic (if using) to the mashed beans. Mix well.
- 5Incorporate the well-beaten eggs into the bean mixture. Stir until evenly combined.
- 6For boiling: Butter and flour a cloth. Pour the mixture into the cloth, tie it securely, and boil in a pot of water for 30 minutes. Ensure the water covers the pudding.
- 7For baking: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a round pudding basin. Pour the bean mixture into the basin and bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the pudding is set.
- 8Let the pudding cool slightly before turning it out onto a serving plate. Serve warm.