Spanish feast ... innit

We had a house full ... which is fabulous ... but it's also a very, very sad time here.

No details, this is not the place...

But we needed a cheering dinner to suit - veggie, veg dodger, lactose intolerant and gf .... so I came up with this... chorizo and pork casserole, butter bean casserole and potato wedges... we ALL loved it

Olive oil
potatoes

onions
garlic
red pepper
mushrooms
pork loin steaks/diced pork
chorizo
butter beans
dry sherry (optional)
tin of chopped tomatoes
cabbage

1.  Start off with the potatoes - cut them into wedges and toss them in olive oil - then roast - at about 180, for about 45 minutes.
2.  Start the two stews ... sautee chopped onion and garlic until soft.
3.  Split the cooked onion and garlic into 2 pans and add the other ingredients to each ... 1 veggie - 1 meaty.
4.  So for the veggie - red pepper and mushrooms.
5.  for the meaty - chopped  chorizo and pork ... cook them both, stirring so they dont stick for about 5 minutes.
6.  Then add ... to the veggies a tin of drained butter beans, to the meaty a splash of dry sherry.  Simmer.
7.   Split a tin of chopped tomatoes between the two pans, add some stock and simmer away.
8.  Chop the cabbage into slices (not shredded, but not chunks)  .. chuck it into the veg stew.
9.  Serve, scoff ... yum

Bonfire night casserole with roasted bulgar groats

I have had some criticism about my presentation so I tried a bit harder.  I don't think it's achieved much!  The roasted bulgar groats were in a ring in the middle of the dish, with the lentil casserole as a moat, and the cavolo nero as a free form bonfire on the top.   Whatever! It tasted great.  I have never had roasted bulgar groats and they work really well.

I love cavolo nero, but wanted it to stand as a dish so stirred in a sauce of yogurt and mustard ... it was LOVELY.

So ....

Start with the lentil casserole

olive oil
leek
garlic
squash, peeled etc , in bite sized pieces
puy lentils
mushrooms
(other veg...)
tsp marmite
mixed herbs
black pepper

1. Sautee chopped leek in olive oil for a few mins, on middling heat.  Add other veg, lentils and water... season.  Simmer for about 20 minutes - add water if it's going dry.
2.  Adjust seasoning., make sure there is enough water ... simmer a bit more.
3.  After about 30 minutes lentils should be soft and all other veg cooked.

Meanwhile...

Boil the bulgar groats according to packet instructions (15 mins in boiling water)... draind and serve

Cavolo nero with yogurt mustartd sauce

Cavolo nero (or other green cabbage) - chopped, and steamed
Natural yogurt
Lemon juice (tiny squeeze)
Salt and pepper
Mustard (to taste)

Steam:- on top of the bulgar boiling water- shredded cavolo nero (I LOVE this vegetable) - when it is steamed stir it into the mustard/yogurt mixture.

Mushroom and broccoli soup

Victim number one wanted mushroom soup, but I knew we had other veggies to use - so invented leek, mushroom, broccoli and parsnip soup.  Recipe is not complicated - start by softening onions and/or leeks with/ or without celery.  Add crushed garlic.  Add chopped veg - mushrooms, parsnips and broccoli in this case - and a splash of brandy (entirely optional - just adds a little zing).  Add water/ stock, season - enough to cover... and a little bit extra - it is soup you know! - simmer until all veg soft (20 mins?).  Zizz.  Plate up and splash of cream (optional) mine sank... scoff ... victims had seconds :)