Happy St Patrick’s Day – Irish Stew

saint-patricks-day

Recipe by Gary Rhodes and taken from Sunday Magazine many years ago!

Serves : 4

Ingredients:

1 ½ lb (750g) middle neck of lamb, cut into cutlets
4 onions
1 lb (450g) potatoes
4oz (100g) unsalted butter
1 garlic clove
1 bouquet garni (1 bay leaf, 1 sprig each of fresh rosemary and thyme tied in a square of muslin) or bouquet garni sachet
2 ½ pints (1.5 litres) chicken stock or water
6oz (175g) carrots
6 celery sticks
8oz (225g) Savoy cabbage
2 tsp freshly chopped parsley

Step One : In a large pan, cover the lamb with cold water and bring to the boil. Drain off the water and refresh the meat in cold water. Drain well. Whichever, cut of lamb you use – for example, neck, scrag end or chops – you should always do this blanching process. It removes any impurities and gives the stock a cleaner, clearer finish.

Step Two : Slice the onions and then peel and dice the potatoes into 1 in (2.5cm) pieces. Melt the butter in a large saucepan and add the onions, half the potatos and the garlic clove.

Step Three : Add the bouquet garni to the pan and fry for 2 mins. Add the lamb cutlets and cover with the chicken stock or water. Bring the liquid to the simmer, cover with a lid and cook for 30 mins. The meat will be half-cooked and the potatoes will have started to puree and thicken the stock.

Step Four : Peel and dice the carrots and add them to the pan. Continue to cook the stew for a further 10 mins. Dice the celery sticks into 1 in (2.5cm) pieces and add to the pan with the remaining potatoes. Cook for 15-20 mins. At this stage, the potatoes shouldn’t be cooked until they’re pureed but until they’re just soft.

Step Five : Shred the cabbage, add to the pan and cook for another 2-3 minutes until the meat and vegetables are tender. Adding the cabbage towards the end of the cooking time ensures that you don’t lose the fresh flavour and that the stew won’t discolour. Season with salt and freshly ground white pepper.

Step Six : Remove the bouquet garni and garnish with the chopped parsley. Serve the stew in individual bowls or from one larg bowl in the middle of the table. You now have a complete meal but even so, I usually serve it with good crusty bread.

Self-love Stew

Recipe courtesy of Psychologies Magazine (April 2019) and taken from Cooking on a Bootstrap by Jack Monroe.

Spoon it into a bowl. Sit in your favourite spot. Hug that bowl. Enjoy every mouthful. You made this for yourself out of love. You are nourishing yourself. You are smart. You are kind to yourself. You can wash up tomorrow.

Serves : 1

Ingredients:
Oil, for frying
2 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
1 onion, roughly chopped
A few handfuls of finely chopped or grated root veg (such as carrot, parsnip, spud or sweet potato – any root will do)
1 tsp paprika
150g tofu or 2 white fish fillets
1 x 400g tin of beans (baked, kidney, butter, cannellini, chickpeas – any beans) drained
1 x 400g tin of chopped tomatoes
A fistful of kale or spinach
Squeeze of lemon juice
A pinch of salt and a sprinkle of cracked black pepper

Step One : Warm a little oil in a pan over low heat and cook the garlic and onion, to soften. Stir, stir; slow and cathartic.

Step Two : Add the finely chopped or grated root veg and stir some more, then add the paprika and mix in. Stirring is key; it is soothing.

Step Three : Chuck in the chunks of tofu if you’re veggie or vegan, or white fish if you aren’t. Tip in the beans; whatever beans – add them for goodness. For laziness. For filling comfort. For making the dish stretch into an extra meal that you won’t have to cook. Pour over the tomatoes. The cheaper ones are sloppy and excellent for soups and stews.

Step Four : Shred some kale with your hands. Rip it the heck up with all the stress-busting physicality you can muster. Go on! Tear it to shreds. Drop it in. Stir it through, breathe and stir, and breathe.

Step Five : Bring to the boil – like your fury, heat it up and watch it roar … then, reduce to a simmer. Douse in lemon juice to brighten, and add some salt and pepper to amplify the flavours. Serve that stew, just for you.

Other great cookbooks that help you keep an eye on the pennies:-

Jackfruit and Red Pepper Goulash

Recipe courtesy of Psychologies Magazine, taken from Dirty Vegan by Matt Pritchard.

Jackfruit is becoming increasingly popular for vegans and vegetarians because it’s fibrous texture apes that of slow-cooked meat. Dusting it in seasoned flour and frying it deepens its flavour. jackfruit and red pepper goulash

Serves: 3-4

Ingredients:
1 onion, sliced
2 red peppers, deseeded and sliced
4 tblsp sunflower or vegetable oil
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
2 tblsp tomato puree
1 tsp caraway seeds
1 tsp dried oregano
400g can chopped tomatoes
400g can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
400ml vegetable stock
Small pinch of cayenne pepper, plus extra to taste
400g can young jackfruit, cut into chunks
1 tblsp plain flour
2 tblsp sweet paprika (don’t use smoked – it will dominate the flavour of the dish)
Lemon juice, to taste
Small bunch of dill, chopped, to garnish
The carb of your choice: mash, pasta, noodles or dumplings

Step One : Gently cook the onion and peppers in half the oil, over medium-low heat, for 15 minutes, until softened. Add the garlic, tomato puree, caraway and oregano to the pan and cook for 2 minutes, then tip in the tomatoes, chickpeas and stock. Season with salt and pepper and a small pinch of cayenne for warmth. Bring to a simmer and cook for 30 minutes. Add a dash more water if the mixture looks as though it is drying out or thickening too much.

Step Two : Meanwhile, season the jackfruit chunks with salt and pepper. Mix the flour and paprika in a shallow bowl, coat the jackfruit chunks and shake away any excess flour. Heat the remaining oil in a frying pan. Add the coated jackfruit and fry over medium-high heat until nicely browned on all sides. Add to the goulash with any of the remaining flour and paprika mix. The goulash should still have 15-20 minutes left to cook, so let it simmer away while you relax for a while.

Step Three : When the goulash is done, taste and add salt, pepper or cayenne, and a squeeze or two of lemon to suit your taste. Garnish with dill and serve with your carbohydrate of choice.

Other Jackfruit recipes can be found here …

Creamy Broccoli Soup

Recipe courtesy of Psychologies Magazine and taken from Danielle Walker’s Eat What You Love: 125 Gluten-Free, Grain-Free, Dairy-Free, and Paleo Recipes .

Eliminating Dairy and wheat doesn’t mean giving up luscious soups. Instead of a roux, or cream, white sweet potatoes add silky richness.

creamy brocolli soup Serves: 4-6

Ingredients:
3 tblsp ghee or extra virgin olive oil
2 cups chopped leeks, white and tender green parts
1/2 yellow onion, chopped
450g broccoli, cut into florets, stems peeled and chopped
1 small Hannah sweet potato or other white-fleshed variety, peeled and cut into cubes
1 celery stalk, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups Chicken bone broth
Fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling

Step One : Melt the ghee in a large stockpot over medium heat. Add the leeks and onion and saute for 3-4 minutes, stirring, until they are fragrant and softened. Add the broccoli, sweet potato, celery and garlic and continue to cook for 5 minutes more.

Step Two : Pour in the Chicken Bone Broth, add 1 1/2 tsp of salt and 1/4 tsp of pepper, and bring to a boil. Simmer for 8-10 minutes, until the vegetables are fork-tender and the broccoli is bright green.

Step Three : Using an immersion blender, or working in batches in a blender, blend the soup until smooth (if using a blender, remove the cap in the blender top and place a kitchen towel over the top to allow steam to release).

Step Four : Return the soup to the pan and season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot, with a sprinkling of pepper and a drizzle of olive oil.

Celeriac Soup with Hazelnut and Sage Pesto

Recipe taken from Clodagh’s Suppers: Suppers to celebrate the seasons by Clodagh McKenna and published in Psychologies Magazine (February 2019).

A great soup to make during the winter months. The flavour of the celeriac has nutty undertones, and the consistency of the soup is so creamy. The pesto adds a delicious crunchy texture and earthy flavour. You can make it a few days ahead, and it freezes really well, so double the recipe when you are making it!

celeriac soup

Serves : 6

Ingredients :
50g butter
1 celeriac, peeled and chopped
1 celery stick, chopped
1 onion, chopped
75g blanched hazelnuts
1 ltr hot vegetable stock
100ml crème fraiche
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

For the Hazelnut and Sage Pesto
75g blanched hazelnuts
2 tblsp finely chopped sage
2 tblsp extra virgin olive oil

Step One : Place a heavy-based saucepan over a medium heat and add the butter. Once the butter has melted, add the celeriac, celery, onion and whole hazelnuts, and season with salt and pepper. Stir well, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pan with foil or your butter wrapper and pop the lid back on. Leave the vegetables to sweat for 15 minutes.

Step Two : Next, make the hazelnut and sage pesto. Place a frying pan over a high heat, add the hazelnuts and shake the pan frequently to toast the nuts evenly, for three minutes – this will release all the oils and the flavour. Add the chopped sage to the extra virgin olive oil in a small bowl.

Step Three : Tip the toasted hazelnuts onto one half of a clean tea towel, then fold over the other half of the tea towel to cover and bash the nuts with a rolling pin until crushed. Add the crushed nuts to the olive oil and sage, mix together well and set aside.

Step Four : Add the hot stock to the vegetables that have sweated down and bring to the boil, then leave to cook, uncovered, for about 15 minutes until the vegetables are tender. Transfer the soup of a blender or food processor, or use a hand blender, and blend to a smooth consistency. Return the soup to the saucepan, if necessary. Stir in the crème fraiche, season and place over a medium heat to warm through. Serve the soup in warmed bowls with the hazelnut and sage pesto drizzled on top.

Mixed Bean Casserole

Recipe courtesy of Woman’s Own from many years ago!

Serves : 4

Prep time : 10 minutes; Cook time : 45 minutes

Ingredients:
1 tblsp vegetable oil
1 onion, peeled and sliced
2 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed
2 celery sticks, washed and sliced
2oz (50g) plain flour
1 tblsp tomato puree
½ pint (300ml) vegetable stock
500g carton sieved tomatoes
1 green chilli pepper, sliced
1 tsp chilli powder
400g can mixed beans in salted water, drained
420g can red kidney beans in salted water, drained
420g can butter beans in salted water, drained
400g can chopped tomatoes
Salt and ground black pepper

Step One : Preheat the oven to Gas 4/350oF/180oC. Heat the oil in a flameproof casserole dish and add the onion, garlic and celery. Sauté for 3 minutes, or until softened.

Step Two : Stir in the flour and tomato puree and cook for a further 1 minute.

Step Three : Add vegetable stock, sieved tomatoes, sliced chilli pepper, chilli powder, beans and the chopped canned tomatoes.

Step Four : Season well with salt and ground black pepper, then cover and cook in the oven for 40 mins. Serve.

Some other bean recipes can be found here …

French Country Soup

This classic recipe is nutritious and high in fibre and vitamins.

Serves: 4

Ingredients:
1 tbsp (15ml) olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
1 medium leek, sliced
2 pints (1.1 litres) vegetable stock
1 medium potato, weighing about 175g (6oz), peeled and chopped
2 celery sticks, chopped
2 medium carrots, chopped
200g (7oz) can chopped tomatoes
25g (1oz) dried pasta shapes
100g (3 ½ oz) french beans, halved
1 large or 2 small courgettes, sliced
100g (3 ½ oz) pre-cooked or drained, canned flageolet or haricot beans
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Step One : Heat olive oil in a large flameproof casserole dish. Add the onion and leek, and soften for 5 mins, stirring occasionally. Add stock, potato, celery, carrots and canned tomatoes, then simmer, covered for 15 mins.

Step Two : Add pasta, French beans and courgettes, and simmer for 15 mins. Stir in flageolet or haricot beans, season well and simmer for 2 more mins.

Step Three : Serve the soup with crusty baguettes.

More yummy soup recipes can be found here …

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Chicken Casserole

Take succulent chicken quarters and ad a selection of your favourite vegetables, spice up with a little salami and herbs, add a splash of port … and you’ve got a meal in one.

Serves: 4; Approx. Cals per portion: 739
Prep time: 25 mins; Cooking time: approx. 55 mins

Ingredients:
1 1/2lb (675g) new potatoes, scrubbed
225g (8oz) shallots
225g (8oz) baby sweetcorn
225g (8oz) sugar-snap peas
Small bunch of fresh coriander, washed and tied together with string
175g (6oz) mushrooms
4 chicken quarters, each weighing approx. 300g (10oz)
Freshly ground black pepper
3 tbsp olive oil
100g (4oz) sliced salami, chopped
1 clove garlic, peeled and crushed
1 1/4pt/750ml fresh chicken stock
2 tbsp cornflour
1/4pt/150ml white port or dry sherry

Step One : Depending on the size, halve or quarter potatoes. Peel and halve the shallots and place in a bowl with the potatoes. Reserve. Wash the baby corn and sugar-snap peas, then trim corn and top and tail peas. Place the bunch of coriander in a large casserole dish, then place the prepared peas and corn on top. Wipe and slice the mushrooms.

Step Two : Wash the chicken quarters and pat dry with kitchen paper. Trim away excess fat from the chicken and cut each portion in half to make eight pieces. Season with black pepper. Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan and sauté the chicken for 6-7 mins until golden brown on both sides. Drain and add to the casserole.

Step Three : In the same frying pan, sauté the new potatoes, shallots, mushrooms, chopped salami and garlic for 4-5 mins until lightly golden. Drain and place in the casserole. Mix the casserole ingredients well. Preheat the oven to Gas 5 / 375oF / 190oC.

Step Four : Spoon 1 tbsp of the frying pan juices into a saucepan and season.
Pour chicken stock into the saucepan. Blend cornflour with a little of the port or sherry and add to pan with remainder. Bring to the boil, stirring, and cook until thickened. Pour into casserole, then cover and bake in oven for 45 mins, or until cooked through. Discard bunch of coriander before serving casserole with crusty bread.

Find other Casserole recipes here …

Duck breast with orange sauce and breadcrumbs

Ingredients:

2 large duck breasts, with skin
30g (1oz) butter
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 tsp finely grated lemon zest
50g (1 ¾ oz) fresh breadcrumbs
2 tsp thyme leaves

For the marinade:-

150ml (5 fl oz) freshly squeezed orange juice
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp runny honey
Juice half lemon
Finely grated zest of half an orange
Pinch of ground cinnamon

Serves: 2 Prep time: 15 mins plus marinating time Cook time: 20 mins
Cals per serving: 772 Fat: 49g

Step One: Score the skin of the duck breast in diagonal crosses and place in a ceramic bowl. Combine the marinade ingredients and pour over the duck. Marinate in the fridge, turning occasionally, for about 8 hours.

Step Two: Heat the oven to 180^oC (gas mark 4). Remove the duck and dry with paper towels, reserving the marinade. Heat a large heavy frying pan over a moderate heat. Place the breasts skin side down in the pan. Cook for 3-4 minutes, or until nice and golden. Transfer the duck breasts, skin side up, to a roasting tin and cook in the oven for about 10-15 minutes (for medium).

Step Three: Meanwhile, pour the marinade into a small saucepan and simmer over a low heat for about 5 minutes, or until reduced and slightly thickened. Season and keep warm.

Step Four: Drain any fat from the frying pan and add the butter. When foaming add the garlic, zest, breadcrumbs and thyme. Sauté until the crumbs are golden. Slice the duck breast either onto individual plates or on a small platter. Sprinkle over the crumbs and serve with a jug of the sauce on the side.

Tip: You can marinate the duck for up to 12 hours. It is important to boil the marinade well before serving it as the sauce.

Recipe courtesy of Easy Living

Fig and Ginger pudding

Ingredients:

150g (5oz) dried figs, chopped
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
100g (3 ½ oz) unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
185g (6oz) caster sugar
2 eggs, lightly beaten
210g (7oz) self-raising flour
1 heaped tsp ground ginger
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 tbsp pecan nuts, roughly chopped, to serve
Stem ginger, to serve

For the Sauce:

125g (4oz) unsalted butter, cubed
150g (5oz) brown sugar
200ml (6 ½ oz) cream

Ice Cream, to serve

Serves: 8 Prep time: 30 mins Cook time: 40 mins

Step One: Heat the oven to 180^oC (gas mark 4). Grease a 18cm (7in) round cake tin and line the base with baking paper. Put the chopped figs in a bowl, add the bicarbonate of soda and pour over 300ml ( 9 ½ fl oz) of boiling water. Set aside.

Step Two: Beat the softened butter and sugar until pale and fluffy. Add the eggs, a little at a time, beating well after each addition, then sift in the flour and ginger. Add the soaked fig and the juice, then the vanilla and mix well.

Step Three: Pour into the tin and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until risen and firm to touch. A skewer inserted in the centre should come out clean. Leave in the tin to cool, then carefully turn out on a baking tray.

Step Four: When ready to serve, heat the oven to 200^oC (gas mark 6). Make the sauce by placing the butter, sugar and cream in a small saucepan. Bring to the boil and simmer for 5 minutes.

Step Five: Top the pudding with a few pieces of stem ginger and the pecans. Pour a third of the sauce over the pudding and put in the oven for 5-7 minutes, or until golden and bubbling. Serve immediately on individual plates, and serve with the remaining hot sauce and cream or ice cream.

Recipe courtesy of Easy Living Magazine