Mezze - green bean salad

The easiest way to feed a multitude of people, I believe, is with lovely mezze plates. And this green bean salad is the perfect way to deliver something a little different. You can serve so many delicious foods as part of a mezze - prosciutto and figs; a good sopressa with some crusty bread; some barbequed octopus and haloumi; the list really is endless. These green beans are so quick and easy and they have such a refreshing taste. Enjoy

Firstly grab a pot of water and put over a high heat. Now just cut the stalky ends of 250g of green beans. When it's boiling you want to blanch the beans and then drain them and pop them into a bowl with fresh cold water and ice. If you don't have any ice just make sure that your sink is clean and you can put them in there with cold water. When you are about to serve chop 1 clove of garlic and 2 teaspoons of flat leaf parsley. Drain your beans and put them into a bowl (not the serving bowl) and toss in the garlic and parsley along with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 2 teaspoons of red wine vinegar. Now place in your serving bowl standing up with the cut stalky end at the bottom of the bowl. Best served at room temperature. Serves 4 as part of a mezze.