Autumn/Winter Warmers

Butternut Squash & Sage Arancini Balls with a Gooey Boursin Black Pepper Centre (pictured above)

Ingredients:

• 40g unsalted butter
• Half an onion, finely chopped
• 1 clove garlic, diced
• 125g risotto rice
• 50ml white wine
• 250ml vegetable stock
• 200g butternut squash/pumpkin peeled and cut into pieces
• 5g fresh chopped sage
• 100g bread crumbs
• 60g Boursin Black Pepper Portions
• Vegetable oil for frying

For the egg wash:

• 2 eggs
• 50ml milk

Serves: 8 -10 people
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes

Method:

1. Place a frying pan on a medium heat. Add the butter, diced onion and garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until the onion softens
2. Add the dry risotto rice to the pan and stir for 1 minute, allowing the melted butter, onion & garlic to coat the rice
3. Add the wine to the risotto and stir until absorbed
4. Pour the stock into a separate pan and bring to boil, before simmering gently
5. Add a ladle of stock to the risotto and again, stir until completely absorbed and the rice starts to swell. Continue to add a ladle of stock at a time, stirring until completely absorbed before adding the next. Repeat until all of the stock has been used
6. Bring a pan of water to the boil and add the butternut squash or pumpkin. Cook until tender and then drain
7. Remove the risotto from the pan and place into a mixing bowl. Add the drained butternut squash or pumpkin and use a fork to mash together
8. Add sage to the mixture and season with salt and pepper to taste
9. Shape the Boursin Pepper Portions into 5g balls and shape the risotto mix around each. This will make approximately 12 arancini balls
10. To make the egg wash, add the eggs and milk together with a little salt and gently whisk
11. Dip the arancini balls into the egg wash to coat, before gently rolling into the bread crumbs until completely covered and then set aside
12. Pour approximately 3cm of oil into a deep pan and carefully bring to a temperature of 170°C (use a thermometer for guidance). Gently cook the arancini balls in the hot oil for approximately 1-2 minutes each, until golden in colour
13. Remove from the oil and drain on kitchen towel to remove excess oil

Serve: warm with your choice of dip
Tip: swap the butternut squash for the same amount of pumpkin for a delicious Halloween dish

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Roasted squash soup with tortillas
This warming soup is easy to make, perfect for Halloween time!


Ingredients:

 

• 1 x squash (approx 900g), peeled and deseeded
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 ½ tbsp fresh chopped rosemary
• 2 tsp fresh thyme leaves
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 Lt vegetable or chicken stock
• 1 x 150g packet Boursin black pepper
• tortilla chips and Gruyere cheese, to serve

Serves: 4
Prep: 30 mins plus rising
Cook: 30 mins

Method:

1. 1.Preheat the oven to 200C/fan190C/Gas 6. Cut the squash into even sized chunks and place in a large roasting tin with the olive oil, rosemary, thyme and garlic. Stir to coat and roast for 35 minutes, stirring once during cooking.
2. Remove the squash from the oven and place in a saucepan with any pan juices and stock. Bring to the boil and simmer for 5 minutes. Using a food processor or blender blend the squash in batches, if necessary, until smooth. Add the Boursin black pepper and blend until smooth.
3. Return the soup to a saucepan and reheat. Spoon into bowls and scatter over tortilla chips and grated cheese.

 

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Squash, tomato and chive risotto
This simple but impressive risotto uses squash for an autumnal twist 

 

Ingredients:

• 525g squash
• 5 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 bunch sage leaves, shredded
• 1 Lt chicken or vegetable stock
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 350g Arborio rice
• 300ml dry white wine
• 1x 150g packet Boursin tomato, onion & chive
• 1 x 50g packet wild rocket leaves

Serves: 4
Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 30 mins

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 200C/fan190C/Gas 6. Cut the squash into even sized small chunks and place in a large roasting tin with 3 tbsp of the olive oil and sage. Stir to coat and roast for 25 – 30 minutes, stirring occasionally during cooking, until squash is tender.
2. Meanwhile bring the stock to the boil in a pan. Reduce heat, cover and simmer. Heat the remaining olive oil in a large saucepan and cook the onion and garlic for 5 minutes, until softened. Add the rice and stir until coated. Pour in the wine and bring to the boil, stirring until absorbed. Stir in a ladle spoon of the simmering stock, cooking and stirring over a low heat until absorbed. Continue adding the stock in ladlefuls, stirring, until all liquid is absorbed and rice is tender.
3. Stir the Boursin tomato, onion & chive into the risotto until smooth and creamy and simmer for a further 3 minutes. Divide between warm serving plates. Remove the squash from the oven and divide between the risotto , spooning over the top with pan juices. Top with rocket leaves and serve.

 

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Garlic & Herb Gratin Dauphinois
This creamy potato dish pairs perfectly with roast lamb

 

Ingredients:

• 25g butter
• 2 leeks, shredded
• 1.4 kg large King Edward or Maris Piper potatoes, peeled
• 3 cloves garlic, chopped
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 150g Boursin Garlic & Herb
• 250ml single cream
• 200ml milk
• 50g Gruyere cheese, grated

Serves: 4 - 6
Prep: 20mins
Cook: 2hrs 5mins

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 180C/ 160C Fan/ Gas 4. Melt the butter in a frying pan and sauté the leeks for five minutes, stirring occasionally until softened.
2. Meanwhile thinly slice the potatoes. Layer the potatoes, leeks and garlic in a two litre oven proof dish finishing with potatoes and seasoning well between the layers.
3. In a bowl mix together the Boursin Garlic & Herb and half the cream until smooth, then blend in the remaining cream and milk. Pour over the potatoes evenly and scatter over the Gruyere cheese.
4. Cover with foil and bake for 1 ½ hours. Uncover and bake for a further 30 minutes, until golden and the potatoes are tender. 

 

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Beef & Ale Casserole With Black Pepper Dumplings
A winter-warming dish the whole family will enjoy 

 

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp plain flour
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 950g braising beef, cubed
• 4 tbsp olive oil
• 250g shallots
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 200g Chantenay carrots, trimmed
• 2 parsnips, cut into chunks
• 250g swede, cut into chunks
• 2 tbsp tomato puree
• 500ml ale
• 200ml good beef stock
• 1 tbsp redcurrant jelly
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 tbsp fresh chopped thyme
• 50g butter
• 200g self-raising flour
• 100g Boursin Black Pepper
• 2 tbsp fresh chopped mixed herbs, e.g. parsley, sage and thyme
• Sprigs of fresh thyme, to garnish

Serves: 4
Prep: 25 mins
Cook: 2 hrs 50mins

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 160C/ 140C Fan/ Gas 3. Mix together the plain flour and seasoning in a large plastic bag or bowl. Add the beef and toss to coat evenly. Heat half the oil in an ovenproof casserole dish and sauté the beef, in batches, over a high heat for about five minutes, stirring occasionally until golden. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
2. Add the remaining oil and sauté the shallots for five minutes, until golden. Add the garlic and carrots and sauté for two minutes. Stir in the parsnips, swede, tomato puree, ale, stock, redcurrant jelly, bay leaf, thyme and reserved beef and juices. Season and bring to the boil. Cover and bake for two hours.
3. Using your fingertips, rub together the butter and self-raising flour until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Stir in small pieces of Boursin Black Pepper and rub in together until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Stir in the mixed herbs, seasoning and enough cold water to form a soft dough. Divide into eight pieces and roll into balls.
4. Remove the casserole from the oven, uncover and arrange the dumplings on top. Cover and bake for a further 20-30 minutes, until the dumplings are cooked. Garnish with sprigs of fresh thyme and serve.

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Ham, Leek, Garlic & Herb Pies
Delicious deep-filled pies, packed full of flavour

 

Ingredients:

For the pastry:

• 200g plain flour
• Pinch of salt
• 100g butter
• 1 egg yolk

For the filling:

• 50g butter
• 3 medium leeks, thickly sliced
• 1 tsp English mustard powder
• 2 tbsp plain flour
• 300ml good quality chicken stock
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 150g Boursin Garlic & Herb
• 2 tbsp fresh chopped mixed herbs
• 350g cooked ham, cut into bite size pieces
• 1 egg, beaten

Serves: 4
Prep: 30 mins plus cooling & chilling
Cook: 1 hr

Method:

1. To make the pastry, sift the flour and salt into a mixing bowl. Rub in the butter using your fingertips until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Stir in the egg yolk and four tablespoon s of cold water until the mixture forms a firm dough. Knead lightly on a lightly floured work surface. Cover with cling film and chill for 30 minutes.
2. For the filling, melt the butter in a large pan and cook the leeks for five to ten minutes, until softened. Using a slotted spoon transfer the leeks to a plate and set aside.
3. Stir in the mustard and flour into the pan juices and cook for two minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove the pan from the heat and gradually blend in the stock and Boursin Garlic & Herb. Return to the heat and bring to the boil, stirring until thickened. Remove from the heat and season to taste. Stir in the herbs and leeks, cover with cling film and allow to cool. Stir in the ham, before spooning into 4 x 300ml individual pie dishes.
4. Divide the pastry into four and roll each out on a lightly floured work surface 2cm larger than each pie. Brush the edges of the pie dishes with water. Cut a strip of pastry from each pastry circle and lay on the edge of the dish. Brush with water and top each dish with a circle of pastry pressing the pastry together to seal and trim. Flute the edges and using a sharp knife cut a steam hole in the centre of the pies. Cover and chill for one hour.
5. Meanwhile preheat the oven to 190C/ 170C Fan/ Gas 5. Brush the pastry with beaten egg and bake for 35 - 40 minutes, until well risen and golden.

Serving Suggestion: Serve with French beans.