Tuscan bean and vegetable stew

Name: Tuscan bean and vegetable stew
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 1 min
Total time: 16 min
Cuisine: European, Italian, Mediterranean
Ingredients: 2 tsp olive or rapeseed oil; 4-6 shallots sliced; 1 small red pepper deseeded and chopped; 1 clove garlic crushed (optional); 2 small carrots sliced; 1 stick celery chopped; 227g (8oz) can chopped tomatoes in rich natural juice (or chopped whole tomatoes); 150ml (1/4 pint) homemade or reduced-salt vegetable stock; 5 tbsp medium-dry cider (or extra vegetable stock); 1 tbsp tomato puree; 1 tsp dried Italian herb seasoning; Freshly-ground black pepper to taste; 420g (15oz) can butter beans in water drained and rinsed; 85g (3oz) French beans trimmed and cut into short lengths