Harvest Festival English Baked Stuffed Autumn Marrowzucchini Recipes

HARVEST FESTIVAL - ENGLISH BAKED STUFFED AUTUMN MARROW/ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 200C/400F/Gas 6.
• Wash and cut the marrow in half, then peel strips of skin with a swivel head vegetable peeler, to create a striped pattern; scoop out all the seeds and discard them. Prick the inside flesh thoroughly with a fork.
• Put all the stuffing ingredients together in a large mixing bowl and mix together - I find that it is better to use your hands to bring it all together. (Wet your hands before you start to prevent the mixture sticking to your hands!).
• Spoon half the stuffing mixture into each half of marrow, pressing down quite firmly to make the mixture fill the hollows.
• Carefully place one stuffed marrow half on top of the other half - see photos - and press together, before wrapping in a large sheet of well greased foil. (I use a low fat olive oil spray to grease my foil.).
• Place the foil wrapped stuffed marrow into a large baking tray or ovenproof dish and cook in the pre-heated oven for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, checking after 1 1/2 hours. The marrow should be soft but still hold its shape. (If you use a smaller or larger marrow, please adjust the cooking time).
• Take the marrow out of the oven when cooked and allow to sit for 5 minutes. Carefully remove the foil and serve hot, cut into slices, with the juices from the dish poured back over the marrow, or mixed into your tomato sauce if making. Serve with steamed fresh vegetables and mashed potatoes. Garnish with fresh parsley.
• This is also wonderful when served with a hot tomato sauce. Gently fry one finely chopped onion with a clove of garlic in a pan until soft and golden; add a tin of chopped tomatoes, gently heat for a further 5 minutes, check for seasoning and add juices from the marrow, salt, pepper to taste. Allow to cool slightly and then blend the sauce in a blender or with a hand held immersion mixer until smooth. Gently re-heat and serve with the stuffed marrow.

SCOTTISH HARVEST FESTIVAL SOUP

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a large saucepan, place all the prepared vegetables into the pan and stir over a gentle heat to coat with the butter.
• Dissolve the stock cubes in the water and pour over the meat and vegetables.
• Add the salt and pepper and simmer gently over a low heat for 1½ hours.
• Remove the soup from the heat if not needed immediately.
• To serve, bring to the boil, check the seasoning and add more salt and/or pepper if desired.
• The soup may be liquidized or puréed and then reheated for a smoother texture, if preferred.

BOREAL FOREST CRANBERRY BROWNIES

Steps:

• NOTE: to make cranberry juice for icing (if you don't have bottle juice on hand) simmer cranberries for brownies a few minutes in 1/8 cup water. Drain and reserve liquid and use berries in brownies.
• Preheat oven to 350°F Coat a 9 x 13 inch baking pan with non-stick cooking spray.
• Combine flour, baking powder and salt; set aside.
• Melt 1 cup butter in large saucepan. Remove from heat. Stir in 1 cup cocoa powder. Add 2 cups sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, and 1 teaspoons almond extract; stir until well blended.
• Stir chocolate mixture into flour mixture. Add cranberries and nuts and mix just until blended.
• Pour batter into baking pan. Bake 30 to 35 minutes.
• Cool completely and frost.
• FROSTING: Melt 3 tbls. butter in small saucepan. Remove from heat. Stir in 1/3 cup cocoa powder, 1/4 teaspoons almond extract, cranberry sauce and juice; stir well.
• Add confectioners' sugar; mix until well blended.

BAKED STUFFED ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• Cut zucchini in half lengthwise. Scoop out pulp, leaving a 1/4-in. shell. Chop pulp; set shells aside. In a nonstick skillet, saute the zucchini pulp, mushrooms and onion in butter for 3-4 minutes or until tender. Add wine or broth. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 10-12 minutes or until liquid has evaporated. Stir in salt and pepper.
• Place zucchini shells in a saucepan and cover with water; bring to a boil. Cook for 2 minutes; drain. Fill shells with mushroom mixture. Sprinkle with cheese. Broil 3-4 inches from the heat for 3-4 minutes or until lightly browned.

MARINATED BABY MARROW (COURGETTE/ZUCCHINI)

Steps:

• Mix lemon juice; olive oil; salt and garlic together and place in an airtight container.
• Slice baby marrow in half lengthwise.
• Boil for 4 minutes and remove from water promptly and dunk into marinade.
• Seal container and refrigerate until cold.

MY LOUBIA / LUBIA / LOOBIA - CLASSIC ALGERIAN BEANS!

Steps:

• The night before you want to make loubia, place the dried beans in a large bowl & cover with cold water. Allow to soak overnight, then rinse & drain before use.
• In a large stock pot, dutch oven or casserole dish (about 4.5 L capacity), seal the meat in the olive oil. Add the beans, paprika & cumin, mix well & cook on low heat for a few minutes.
• Pour 2 litres of water over the beans, add the salt & pepper. Cover & cook on a medium heat - so the loubia is on a fast simmer - for 1 hour.
• After 1 hour, add 500ml extra water & the pureed / liquidised tin of plum tomatoes / passata. Add the garlic, 2 tsp salt, 2 1/2 tsp paprika & 1 1/2 tsp cumin.
• Cover & cook for 30 minutes on medium heat as before.
• After 30 minutes, remove the lid & simmer uncovered for a further 30 minutes. Do not let the sauce become too thick as when you add the olive oil & vinegar for serving, it thicken the sacue up automatically.
• Check seasoning, you may need additional salt, then serve piping hot with plenty of fresh crusty bread.
• Either add 1 tablespoon of olive oil & 1-2 tsp vinegar to each bowl before serving or let people add it themselves at the table.