October is the best month for windy walks on the moors to blow away the cobwebs. There is still foraging to be done, with this month being great for Bullace (a small, tart plum, in-between Damson and Sloe in size, which makes fantastic gin). Beech nuts, walnuts and hazelnuts can still be found (if the squirrels haven't nabbed them all)! My favourite is sweet chestnut, with it's many uses, both sweet and savoury. Freshly roasted chesnuts with a little salt and butter are my favourite, but stuffings and puree can be made and frozen for Christmas.
After one of those wild and windy walks you’ll be ready for a hearty feast. This recipe for white beans and sausages fits the bill perfectly. Rich and hearty with the flavour of smoky paprika to remind you of summer in Spain, it will put a smile on your face particularly when paired with a delicious glass of Familia Pacheco Organic Monastrell.
Ingredients (serves 4)
40g Celery, diced
40g Leek, diced
40g Carrot, diced
40g Onion, diced
40g Red pepper, diced
40g Frozen peas, defrosted
5g Garlic, grated
1x700g Navarico Alubias Blancas (not drained)
1tsp Smoked paprika
30g Chorizo, diced (optional)
30g Pancetta, diced (optional)
15g Tomato puree
8 Sausages (fresh chorizo, Italian fennel, or Toulouse are my favourites, but any good quality sausages made with natural skins will be good)
2 Bay leaves
Olive oil
Salt
Method
Preheat your oven to 180 degrees celcius.
In a deep, heavy-bottomed pan, sweat the chorizo, pancetta, bay leaves and vegetables (excluding the garlic and peas) until tender.
Then, add the garlic and cook for a further two minutes.
Turn up the heat and add the tomato puree. Sautee to extract the colour, then add the beans.
Bring the pan to a simmer and season to taste.
Pour pan contents into an oven dish and lay the sausages on top. Place in your preheated oven until the sausages are cooked. Then, turn the oven down to 60 degrees to keep your dish warm until needed.
Just before serving, stir in the peas and adjust the seasoning if neccesary.
The Perfect Wine Match
Familia Pacheco Organic Monastrell, Jumilla, Spain 2022
Full of dark, brooding fruit and spices. Fresh, juicy quality due to the absence of oak. It has the advantage of being one of our top wines of October, so grab it whilst it's still on offer!
Vina Mayor Roble, Ribera del Duero, Spain 2022
Ample and generous with ripe, round tannins and juicy acidity leading into a core crammed with red and black hedgerow fruits with gentle toasted undertones.
Lafite Rothschild Amancaya Malbec - Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendoza, Argentina 2021
A collaboration between Lafite Rothschild and Cantena. This wine oozes sophistication and will add extra dimension to this super comforting dish.
