1. Soak the beans in a lot of cold water for about 12 hours

2. Peel and coarsely chop the onion

3. Heat the olive oil in a large pan and fry the onions until they take color

4. Strain the beans

5. Add the following ingredients to the pan: beans, garlic, bay leaf, thyme and tomato paste

6. Cook the ingredients over moderate heat for about 10minutes

7. Add boiling water to cover the beans about an inch

8. Continue cooking over low heat for about 3hours or until the beans are quite tender

9. Add the lemon juice and season to taste

10. Allow the beans to cool in the liquid

11. Serve the cold beans in their liquid and garnish with parsley

List of ingredients required:

1 large onion
1/4 pint olive oil
Salt and black pepper
1 tablespoon tomato paste
2 crushed cloves garlic
1 bay leaf
Juice of lemon
1/2 level teaspoon powdered thyme
1/2 lb haricot beans
Coarsely chopped parsley (garnish)