WHAT'S FOR DINNER?

 

Winter recepies

Soup suitable for Vegetarians

All-in-one chunky winter broth

A wholesome broth that takes just 20 minutes to warm you up in winter

• 2 x 400g/14oz cans chopped tomatoes
• 2litres/3½ pints vegetable stock
• 4 carrots, peeled and sliced
• 2 x 420g/15oz cans mixed beans, drained and rinsed
• 175g spinach
• 1 tbsp roasted red pepper pesto

Salt for flavour

1. Tip the canned tomatoes into a saucepan along with the stock, bring to the boil, then turn down the heat and throw in the carrots. Gently simmer the soup until the carrots are cooked, about 15 minutes.
2. Stir in the pulses and spinach and heat until the spinach has wilted. Spoon in the pesto and gently mix into the soup. Serve with some crusty bread.

Remember the beauty of making soup is, there is no real rule. You can chuck in anything you have at home…

 

• Muffin topped winter beef stew
•  

500g braising steaks, cut into bite-sized chunks

• 2 tbsp plain flour, seasoned with pepper and a little salt
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 450g carrots, cut into chunks
• 2 large parsnips, cut into chunks
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 tbsp sundried or regular tomato paste
• 300ml red wine or extra stock
• 450ml vegetable stock

For the topping

• 225g plain flour
• 3 tsp baking powder
• 140g cheddar, coarsely grated
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 150ml milk

 

Method

1. Heat oven to 150C/fan 130C/gas 2. Toss the beef in seasoned flour. Heat the oil in a large flameproof casserole. Fry the beef over a high heat until browned all over – it’s easiest to do this in batches. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
2. Add 2 tbsp water and the onion to the pan, stir well over a medium heat, scraping up the crusty bits from the bottom of the pan. Lower the heat and fry gently for 10 mins, stirring occasionally until the onions have softened.
3. Tip in the carrots, parsnips and bay leaf, then fry for 2 mins more. Return the beef to the pan, stir in the tomato paste, wine if using, and stock, then bring to the boil. Cover and cook in the oven for 1¾-2 hrs until the meat is tender. Can be made up to 2 days ahead or frozen for up to 1 month. Defrost thoroughly in the fridge before topping and baking. Take out of the oven and increase the temperature to 190C/fan 170C/gas 5.
4. To make the topping, sieve the flour and baking powder into a bowl and add half the cheese. Mix olive oil and milk, then stir into the flour to make a soft, slightly sticky dough. Add more milk, if necessary. Spoon the dough over the meat and vegetables, sprinkle with the remaining cheese and bake for about 15 mins until golden, risen and cooked through.

 

Recipe from Good Food magazine,