3 Comfort Food Recipes Perfect For The Autumn

red wine

🥗Healthier: grape juice

💰Cheaper: white wine

Grape juice provides a similar flavor without alcohol.

beef broth

🥗Healthier: vegetable broth

💰Cheaper: chicken broth

Vegetable broth is lower in calories and can be made at home.

fresh rosemary

🥗Healthier: dried rosemary

💰Cheaper: herb blend

Dried herbs are more affordable and have a long shelf life.

lamb shanks

🥗Healthier: chicken thighs

💰Cheaper: pork shanks

Chicken thighs are leaner and less expensive than lamb.

French trim the lamb shanks to expose the bone.

Season the lamb shanks with olive oil, salt, and pepper.

Heat a frying pan over medium heat and brown the lamb shanks to develop color.

In a separate pan, add olive oil and finely chop the smoked bacon; add to the pan.

Add bay leaves to the bacon in the pan.

Chop one white onion and one red onion into large pieces and add to the pan.

Add chopped carrots in large chunks to the pan.

Chop swede into chunks and add to the pan.

Chop celery stick and add to the pan.

Cook the vegetables for 15 minutes to caramelize and develop flavor.

In a mortar, combine 1 tablespoon black pepper, 10 allspice berries, 5 cloves, and half a nutmeg; grind and sieve over the vegetables.

Add 1 tablespoon thick cut marmalade to the vegetables and stir.

Add 1 tablespoon flour to thicken the mixture.

Pour in 4 shots of scotch whiskey and flame it to cook off the alcohol.

Add the browned lamb shanks to the pan, scraping in any sticky bits.

Pour in 1 liter of beef stock and cover with crumpled greaseproof paper.

Cook in the oven at 170°C for 3 hours until tender.

Prepare the pearl barley risotto by finely slicing the white part of leeks.

In a new pan, add a knob of butter and a couple of sprigs of thyme; add the sliced leeks and a splash of water.

Cook the leeks over medium heat for 15 minutes until soft.

Add 450 g of pearl barley to the leeks and stir.

Pour in 1.5 liters of chicken stock, cover, and cook for 40 minutes until the barley is tender.

Add 500 mls of milk to the barley and stir to make it creamy.

Stir in cheddar cheese until melted and combined.

Serve the lamb shanks with the pearl barley risotto, garnished with thyme.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level: