Moroccan white beans in tomato sauce (Loubia)

1. Soak the dried white beans overnight in plenty of cold water; the next day drain and rinse.

2. Cover the beans with the water in a pan, bring to the boil and simmer for 50-60 minutes until almost tender.

3. Meanwhile grate the tomatoes, finely chop the onion and crush the garlic.

4. Soften the onion in the olive oil in a frying pan for 5 minutes, add the garlic, cumin, paprika, chilli powder and tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes.

5. Pour the sauce over the beans, season with salt and pepper and cook uncovered for another 30 minutes until the beans are completely tender and the sauce is thick.

6. Sprinkle with chopped coriander and serve with fresh bread.

Tip: Loubia is a simple, cheap and very filling dish of Moroccan homes and roadside eateries, often eaten for breakfast too. With canned beans it's ready in half an hour: just simmer the beans in the sauce for 15 minutes. It works as a main dish on its own or as a side with meat.