My all time favourite comfort food recipe, cooked in advance makes an ideal as a mid-week winter warmer I’m amazed that I’ve yet to write this recipe up. It’s been a mainstay ever since I went to university many years ago and was really my entry into spicy cooking. I used to head out to…
Category: Beans
Slow Cooked Shin of Beef Chilli
I know how popular my Shin of Beef recipes have been on this blog they’ve always topped the visitor page hits, so I hope you find this one to be just as wonderful as I did. My original Chilli dish was one created from my student days – good food for the masses, but on…
Oxtail & Cannellini Bean Soup
There was a time when you could pick up Oxtail for virtually nothing from the butchers – another hearty peasant food from days gone by. However it seems to have mad e a revival recently – this is good in so much as it’s more widely ‘visible’, but at the same time seems to have…
Chorizo & Chickpea Soup
One of those basic recipes which just turns out to be amazing. Full of Spanish flavour, this hearty soup deserves a 5 star rating. Serve with fresh chunks of crispy bread to absorb the most amazing flavours. One thing to note: My Habanero chillies are home grown, and in their first year. The fruit is…
Chole
or Chana Masala, if you prefer. Very popular across the world, this Punjabi dish is one of my favourite curries. I’ll often choose this dish as a baseline test when I try new restaurants and takeaways – although this is a relatively simple dish, Chana Masala can be over complicated or ruined with…
Pasta e Ceci
Another simple and quick pasta dish, similar to the Pasta e Patate, but this time using chickpeas. Very effective, but do not overcook! Serves 2 Cooking time – 30 minutes Ingredients 4 tbsp Olive Oil 1 clove Garlic 1 medium Onion, finely chopped 2 sprigs Rosemary 2 tins Chickpeas 1 ltr Vegetable Stock 2 tbsp…
Spanish Chorizo & Chicken Casserole
A great spicy Spanish casserole, which goes down really well with a good bottle of Rioja. The sherry in the stock adds a wonderful richness Ingredients 2-3 tbsp Olive Oil 125g Chorizo, chopped 1 carrot, finely chopped 1 stick Celery, finely chopped 1 medium Onion, sliced 3 cloves Garlic, chopped 1 Chicken Breast, chopped 2-3…
Smashed Squash & Beans
A nice sweet accompaniment to spicy Mexican dishes. Maybe add a little chopped red chilli for a warming kick… Serves 3 Ingredients 50g Butter 1/2 Butternut Squash, peeled, deseeded & cubed 2 cloves Garlic, chopped 1 tsp Cumin seeds 1 tin Pinto Beans, drained Salt & Pepper Method Melt the butter in a pan on…
How to Make… Black Bean Sauce
Black Bean sauce can be a wonderful rich fullness to an Asian meal, or bring with it an overbearing saltiness which destroys it. Why not take all of the guesswork out and make your own? It’s really not that hard, and you know exactly what’s in it. All you need is a source of tinned…
Frijoles Charros
or ‘Cowboy Beans’. Another one pot wonder, involving whatever you happen to have hanging around the campfire. Ensure that the beans have been soaked according to instructions on the packet – this usually means overnight. Cooking time is dependent on beans used – only add the stock once the beans are tender. I’ve used Chorizo…
Hot Red Bean Hash
After last nights indulgences with the Creole Mushroom and Sausage Pasta, I felt that something a little more healthy was in order. Still working on my theme of cuisine influenced by southern USA, this bean recipe is full of flavour yet is about as healthy as I get. Serve with a Greek yoghurt and a…
Boston Baked Beans with Bacon
This would work well with any beans as long as they are prepared according to the instrctions on the packed (this may mean pre-soaking for several hours or overnight), but I love the flavour & texture of Black Turtle Beans. As a great alternative, replace the lardons with chopped smoked bacon and fried Cumberland chipolta…
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