Bean Hot Pot with Spice Butter Topping

This is a great way of using up the cans of beans we have stashed away, a meat free dinner every few days is a great idea plus does wonders for the food budget.

Serves 4
1 tbsp oil
1 medium white onion, diced finely
2 garlic cloves peeled, mashed and chopped

2 carrots peeled and diced very small

1tsp each of mixed dried herbs, sweet and hot paprika
1tsp salt

1tbsp tomato puree

1t tin chopped tomatoes plus 1/2 tin of water

1 tin each of red kidney beans, lentils and black beans (or 3 tins of what ever beans/lentils you have)
3-4 medium potatoes peeled and very thinly sliced

3tsp spice butter – see below

Heat the oil in a pan, then add the onion, carrot, and garlic. Cook for about 5 minutes until the onion is soft and golden. Add a splash of water if needed. Tip in the salt and seasoning and stir well to mix.

Increase the heat, and then add the puree, chopped tomatoes, water all the beans, mix well and cook for about 10 minutes over a medium heat. The tinned beans are already cooked but this really helps develop flavour.

At this point you could simply serve with some rice or continue on to make the hotpot with the potatoes on top.

If so, tip them the beans into an oven proof dish. Cover with a layer of thinly sliced potatoes, a drizzle of oil, season and add another layer until all your potatoes are used. Pat some of the spice butter on top and cook for 30 minutes in the oven until the potatoes are tender and golden brown.

Spice Butter – This is delicious on any chili dish or stirred into the pan when you are cooking some vegetables or even a slice on the top of some meat or fish before you put it in the oven.
1 tbsp olive oil
2tsp ground cumin
1tsp chilli powder
2 tsp smoked paprika
1tsp balsamic vinegar
1 tsp tomato ketchup
1tsp Worcestershire sauce
100g butter or coconut oil, softened to room temperature

Heat the olive oil in a frying pan and lightly fry the cumin, chilli powder and paprika for about a minute. Add a splash of water if needed, add to a bowl and add the rest of the ingredients; mix well and chill until needed. Store in the fridge covered when you aren’t using it.