Sausage and bean casserole with mustard

By popular demand – this requires vegetarian sausages…

Serves 6

2 tbsp sunflower oil
2 large onions chopped
12 veggie sausages (best with Lincolnshire style ones) cut into chunks
2 tins kidney beans
1/2 pint stock
1 tbsp brown sugar
4 tsp wholegrain mustard (milder than Colman’s English)
1 1/2 lb thinly sliced potatoes
butter

In a large casserole, gently fry onions and sausage chunks  in the oil until browned
Add the beans with the liquid from the tins, as well as the stock, sugar and mustard. Bring to the boil.
Remove the casserole from the heat, and arrange the potatoes on the top. They will overlap. Dot about 1 oz butter on top (or drizzle some oil if preferred).
Cover the dish and bake in the over for about an hour until the potatoes are cooked. Probably about 180C, moderate oven.
You can finish it by adding a little more butter to the top and grilling for a couple of minutes to get the topping browned.

Courgette and tomato bake

Good for the summer…

Serves 4

1 lb courgettes, sliced
1-2 onions, sliced – depends how much onion you like
1 tin tomatoes
Rosemary, thyme, black pepper  to taste
1 French loaf, sliced and buttered
Abt 4 oz grated cheese

In a casserole dish, gently fry the onion, courgette and herbs for a few minutes
Add tomatoes and simmer for up to 10 minutes
Arrange bread slices on top at angles, overlapping and butter side down
Sprinkle cheese over and bake at 200C for 10-15 minutes until browned

Emergency Squash Casserole

This was the result of trying to make the squash gratin without all the ingredients and was very tasty and quick.

Serves 4

1 butternut squash
1 red onion
1 tsp chilli powder
1 tsp dried sage
1/2 pint stock
1 packet gorgonzola cheese
1 tsp cornflour in colde water

1. Cut the squash into chunks and part steam in the microwave for a few minutes
2. Fry the onion with the chilli and sage
3. Add the squash and then the stock
4. Cut the cheese into chunks and mix into the mixture
5. Put in medium oven in covered casserole dish for about 15-20 minutes.
6. Before serving add in the cornflour mixed into cold water to thicken the liquid.

Veggie crumble

I admit I haven’t eaten this – but I know people who have and they recommended it

Serves 4-6

175 ml stock
280 ml cider, pref sweet
1 tsp sugar
2 carrots chopped
2 parsnips, sliced
2 sticks celery, chopped
broccoli head chopped
1/2 cauli chopped
1 dstsp flour
1 onion chopped
4 tomatoes peeled and sliced
1 tin black eyed beans or beans of choice

TOPPING
75g butter
100g flour
50g oats
100g cheese, grated

Make topping: Rub fat into flour, mix in oats and cheese

Put stock, cider, sugar, carrots and parsnips into a large pan and cook 5-10 mins
Add cauli, celery, broccoli and cook until all veg are tender
Meanwhile fry onion until golden
Remove veg from sauce and place in greased casserole dish with onion and beans
Mix flour and a little water, then add to pan to thicken the sauce
Once thickened pour over veg in dish
Sprinkle topping over casserole, patting it down a little
Bake at 200C for about 30 minutes until golden

Autumn Casserole

Enough for 3-4 people depending on how much you actually put in. Quantities here for guidance only. The stock gives you the right amount for a casserole for 4.

200g pack chestnuts
small head of broccoli, chopped
2-3 carrots, sliced
1 onion, chopped roughly
Mushrooms, quartered
4-6 potatoes, sliced
1 pint veg stock
1 tbsp wholegrain mustard
1 tbsp tomato puree
tarragon and thyme for seasoning
splash of soya sauce
oil for frying and drizzling
salt to sprinkle

1. Fry onion, carrots  and mushrooms for a couple of minutes in bottom of casserole dish with herbs and soya sauce

2. Add stock, mustard and puree

3. Add broccoli and chestnuts

4. Lay potato slices over the top, drizzle with oil and sprinkle a little salt over

5. Cover the casserole tightly and bake in moderate oven for 45-50 minutes until tender. Remove lid and brown potatoes under grill before serving.

You can use whatever mix of veg suits you, and could add a little red wine to the sauce if available.