Lobio (kidney beans) pate

A healthy and delicious combination of kidney beans, garlic and onions. The addition of walnuts gives a pleasant crunch to the salad. Make sure you have all the ingredients at hand and get ready for this special treat.
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 1 hour
Serves: 4-5

Ingredients

2 lbs (900g) kidney beans
½ lbs (225g) walnuts, crushed
5 tbsp vegetable oil
1 tbsp of Ajika,( hot red paste)
3 bay leaves
1 tsp of dried coriander
1 tsp of red pepper
2 large red onions
Salt

Directions

1. Soak the beans in a pot for overnight.
2. Place the pot over medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Add the bay leaves and cook until soft, (depending on the sort), about an hour.
3. Drain, but do not cool and reserve the cooking water in a separate dish. Place in a bowl. Add the Ajika ( omit if not available)and vegetable oil and mash thoroughly. (TIP: Georgians typically use a mortar).
4. Add walnuts, coriander and season with red hot pepper. Mix to combine
5. Chop onions or use a mincing machine to make onions softer and add into the mixture, gradually pouring in some warm cooking water. Mix well to combine.
6. Place the pate in a serving plate, flattening the top with a spoon, Garnish with walnuts, pomegranate and thinly sliced red onions and serve cold.