Bean and Halloumi Stew (GF/DF/Vg Options)
Adapted from a BBC Good Food recipe, we've got the slow cooker version here for ultimate easy-cooking and crowd-pleasing amounts.
Ingredients to Serve 6-8
3 onions , thinly sliced
3 peppers (red/orange/yellow) , thinly sliced
4 garlic cloves , crushed
Most of a small jar of red chilli pesto/ sundried tomato pesto/ vegan alternative
3 heaped tsp ground coriander
2x 400g can mixed beans , drained and rinsed
1x 400g can of baked beans
2 x400g can chopped tomatoes
1 x 250g block halloumi , sliced (optional but yummy)
A small bunch of coriander , finely chopped
Garlic bread, jacket potatoes or chunky toast to serve (optional)
See the original recipe at https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/bean-halloumi-stew
Method
In the morning, chop and prepare vegetables and drain the mixed beans.
Put onions, peppers, garlic, pesto, ground coriander, beans and chopped tomoatoes in a slow cooker. Add one additional can of water if the ingredients aren't fully submerged.
Switch slow cooker on low and leave to cook for 8-10 hours.
Cook garlic bread or jacket potatoes in the oven (or get someone on toast duty).
While the carbs are cooking, heat a frying pan on a medium heat and chop the halloumi into 1cm slices.
Place the slices in the pan and cook gently until brown on one side (takes a couple of minutes). Flip to get both sides brown.
Chop the coriander ready to sprinkle and serve!
Jacket Potatoes with ALL the Toppings (GF/DF/Vg Options)
Jacket potatoes are easy, satisfying and have an endless variety of toppings.
Buy red potatoes or a jacket variety for easy-fluffy results. Get one for each person, plus 2 or 3.
Stab each spud with a fork a few times and rub each potato with oil and sprinkle with salt before putting in a large overn tray and placing in the oven at 160C.
Cook for 1-1.5hrs.
(You can speed up the cooking by cutting larger potatoes in half or putting a metal skewor through the potatoes.)
While the potatoes are cooking, assemble toppings. You could get everyone to bring a topping of choice. These might include:
- Baked beans (warmed in the microwave or a pan)
- Canned tuna (drained and mashed with a fork)
- Mayonnaise (for the tuna or by itself)
- Grated cheese
- Coleslaw
- Butter or margarine (Make sure you have a vegan option like Vitalite if needed. If you're feeding a coeliac (allergic to gluten), the safest way is to start a new tub or pack as traces of gluten from breadcrumbs can be dangerous for them).
You may also want to get a bit of salad on the side.
When the potatoes are crispy on the outside and squeeze when you press them with a tea towel, they're ready.
Everyone serves themselves and you all have a lovely time.