Parsnip, sprout and chestnut hotpot with cider and sprout top pesto

When the weather turns cooler warm up with a cosy casserole of winter vegetables cooked with barley and cider. Serve with steamed greens and mashed swede (rutabaga) or potatoes for a more substantial meal.

Ingredients

Serves Four
100g/3½oz pearl barley or pearled spelt
2 tbsp olive or rapeseed oil
250g/9oz shallots or baby onions, peeled and cut in half
300g/10½oz Brussels sprouts, trimmed and outer leaves removed
400g/14oz parsnips, peeled and cut into 2.5 cm/1in chunks
150g/5½oz cooked, peeled chestnuts
150ml/5fl oz medium-dry cider
2 bay leaves, torn
2 thyme sprigs
750ml/26fl oz hot vegetable stock
extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

For the sprout top pesto
leafy tops from 1–2 Brussels sprout stems
½ garlic clove, finely chopped or grated
25g/1oz walnuts or pumpkin seeds
1 lemon, juice and zest
2–3 tbsp extra virgin olive or rapeseed oil
salt and freshly ground black pepper

Method
1. Put the pearl barley into a large bowl, cover with cold water and leave to soak for 15 minutes.
2. Heat the oil in a flameproof casserole dish over a medium heat. Add the shallots, Brussels sprouts, parsnips, chestnuts, and season with salt and pepper. Cook for 15 minutes, stirring only occasionally, until you get a golden-brown colour on the vegetables.
3. Add the cider and simmer for a couple of minutes, stirring and scraping the bottom of the pan to deglaze it, until the liquid has reduced to almost nothing.
4. Drain the pearl barley and rinse well. Add to the casserole dish with the bay leaves, thyme and stock. Stir well, bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for 35–40 minutes, or until the barley is tender. Check the seasoning.
5. Meanwhile, to make the pesto, strip any tough stalks from the Brussels leaves. Roughly shred or chop the leaves and place into a food processor. Add the garlic, walnuts or pumpkin seeds and some salt and pepper. Blend until finely chopped, stopping once or twice to scrape down the sides.
6. Add a squeeze of lemon juice and slowly trickle in the oil, whilst the processor is on. Stop when the ingredients have formed a coarse pesto – it’s nicest if it’s still a bit leafy and textured, rather than a smooth puree. Taste and add more salt, pepper or lemon juice as needed. Place into a bowl and finish with a few fine gratings of lemon zest.
7. To serve, spoon the hotpot into warmed bowls and top with the sprout top pesto.

From idea seen here

Chestnuts in recipes

Chestnuts are shiny brown nuts whose thick casing has long, sharp, needle-like spikes (burrs). There are usually two to four nuts per casing. Unlike other nuts, chestnuts have a high starch and water content but low protein and fat levels. They've never been as popular in British kitchens as in Continental ones, but they're a versatile and flavourful store-cupboard ingredient. Chestnuts are available fresh, ground, dried, puréed or vacuum-packed.

Ground chestnut (chestnut flour) has a sweet strong flavour and a slightly pasty texture when cooked. Dried chestnuts lend a smoky flavour and robustness of character to soups or stews. There are two types of puréed chestnut: sweetened and unsweetened, which are used in sweet and savoury dishes respectively (the sweetened version is used in the classic Mont Blanc). Vacuum-packed chestnuts are of variable quality. The best are made from whole, unbroken nuts and work well in soups, stuffings, stews and sauces.

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You will find a variety of recipe ideas, within this blog. It is important to note, not all may be suitable for you. If you may have any food allergies, or underlying health issues these must always be taken into account. If you are a diabetic and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e., use a reliable meter. If you have any concerns about your health, it is always advisable to consult your doctor or health care team.

All the best Jan