Variations

In this Beef Stew and Dumplings recipe I am using leeks, carrots and onion but feel free to add any other winter root vegetables you may have to hand.

For herb dumplings add 1 tbsp. chopped fresh herbs (parsley, rosemary and sage work well) to the flour and suet before mixing the dumplings. Or - my favorite - stir a teaspoon of Marmite into the wet dough before rolling the dumplings.

Clocktower Burger from Stephanie Moon

Chef Stephanie Moon is a renowned British chef and head chef at Rudding Park Country Hotel, Harrogate, and North Yorkshire. Her burger recipe is one of the best sellers at the restaurant, no wonder as it is quick and easy to make, and delicious. The success of the burger is dependent on using good, locally sourced beef; nothing else will do.

Ingredients:

• 2 ½ cups/ 600g organic minced beef

• 1 tsp. Lea and Perrins Sauce

• 2 medium shallots, minced

• 4 mini gherkins (or ½ large one), minced

• 2 tsp. capers

• 1 heaped tsp. tomato ketchup

• salt and pepper

• 4 tbsp. vegetable oil for frying

• 4 rashers organic bacon

• 4 sesame seed burger buns

Preparation:

Method:

• Heat the oven 350°F/180°C/Gas 4

• Place all the ingredient in a large bowl and mix together thoroughly. Season with a good pinch of salt and pepper.

• Divide the mixture into four and form into classic burger shapes using a palette knife or use a 2½ inch/6cm ring mound form the four burgers from the mixture.

• Heat the vegetable oil in a frying pan. Place the burgers in the pan and cook on both sides for approximately 2 minutes each side over a moderate heat until golden brown. Use a palette knife to flip the burgers over. Once brown on both sides place in the oven 6 minutes.

• Meanwhile, grill the bacon for 5 mins under a hot grill until crisp.

• Place each cooked burger in a sesame bun topped with a slice of bacon. Serve with hand cut fries, relish and onion rings (optional).

Cottage Pie - Easy Cottage Pie Recipe

Cottage Pie is one the quickest and easiest supper dishes with this easy Cottage Pie recipe. Traditionally a Cottage Pie is made with ground beef, and if using ground lamb would be called a Shepherd's Pie but the recipe is the same for both.

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour, 10 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 lb. / 900g peeled potatoes, quartered

• 6 tbsp. milk

• 1 stick/ 110g butter, cubed + 1 tbsp. for the sauce

• Salt and ground black pepper

• 1/2 tbsp. lard or dripping

• 1 cup/ 115g chopped onion

• 1 cup / 115g chopped carrot

• 1 clove garlic, minced

• 2 cups / 450g ground/ minced beef

• 1 pint / 600 ml beef stock

• 1 cup / 115g chopped white mushrooms

• 2 tbsp. finely chopped flat leaf parsley

• 1 tbsp. all-purpose flour

• 1 cup/ 115g grated Cheddar Cheese

Preparation:

• Heat the oven to 375°F/190°C/Gas 5

• Boil the potatoes until soft, drain. Place the milk and butter in the pan used to boil the potatoes, return to the heat and warm gently until the butter has melted. Add the potatoes and mash. Season to taste and keep to one side.

• Melt the lard or dripping in a large deep pan. Add the onion and carrot and fry for 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another minute.

• Add the ground beef and one quarter of the beef stock to the onion and carrot mixture and cook, stirring constantly until all the meat is browned. Add the remaining stock, parsley and mushrooms, season with salt and pepper. Cover with a lid and cook for 15 minutes.

• Mash the flour into the remaining 1 tbsp. butter then add in small pieces to the ground meat sauce, stirring until all the flour has dissolved and the sauce has thickened slightly, approx. 5 mins.

• Place the meat sauce into an 8"/ 20cm by 3"/7cm deep ceramic of glass ovenproof dish and cover with the mashed potato. Sprinkle the grated cheese potato on top and bake in the heated oven for 30 - 35 mins until the surface is crisp and browned. Serve immediately.

Don't forget, if you lamb instead of beef, this will be a Shepherd's Pie