5 ways with runner beans

Summery beans & herby green aïoli Dried beans are very cost-effective, and ideal for simmering in a big batch. Use a good-quality olive oil when making this dish, as it imparts a lot of flavour. MAKES

• Also known as fava beans when dried, broad beans are at their best in the UK from late spring to late summer. Although originally from the Middle East, they’ve been grown in the UK for thousands of

Low-maintenance plates packed with punchy flavours? We’ve sorted your midweek eating schedule with these five easy-to-pull-together summer suppers

■ Serves 4 ■ Prep 15 mins ■ Cook 15 mins 140g soba noodles300g fresh or frozen podded edamame beans4 spring onions, shredded300g beansprouts1 cucumber, peeled, halved lengthways, deseeded and sliced1

Serves 2Prep time 15 min, plus coolingCook time 15 min BE A BETTER COOK Using ripe, in-season tomatoes is crucial as the dish relies heavily on their flavour. Good quality Spanish olive oil is key too

■ Serves 4 ■ Prep 20 mins ■ Cook 40 mins 1 tbsp olive oil6 chicken thighs, skinless and boneless, cut into large chunks2 tbsp piri-piri seasoning1 onion, finely chopped2 garlic cloves, crushed350g bas