BEEF STEW WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH RECIPES

1. Preheat the oven to 160ºC/300ºF/gas 2.
2. Peel and roughly chop the onion, peel and quarter the parsnips and peel and halve the carrots. Deseed and roughly dice the squash, and peel and halve the Jerusalem artichokes (if using). Pick the sage leaves.
3. Heat a little oil and the butter in a casserole pan on a medium heat, add the onion and sage leaves, then fry for 3 to 4 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, toss the meat in a little seasoned flour, then add it to the pan with all the vegetables, the tomato purée, wine and stock, then gently stir together. Season generously with black pepper and just a little sea salt.
5. Bring to the boil, place a lid on top, then place in the oven until the meat is tender – sometimes this takes 3 hours, sometimes 4 – it depends on what cut of meat you’re using and how fresh it is. The only way to test is to mash up a piece of meat and if it falls apart easily it’s ready.
6. Once cooked, turn the oven down to about 110°C/225°F/gas ¼ and just hold it there until you’re ready to eat.
7. The best way to serve this is by ladling big spoonfuls into bowls, accompanied by a glass of French red wine and some really fresh, warmed bread.
8. Finely grate the lemon zest, pick and finely chop the rosemary and peel and finely chop the garlic, then mix together and sprinkle over the stew before serving. Just the smallest amount will make a world of difference – as soon as it hits the hot stew it will release an amazing fragrance.

Preheat the oven to 200°C/gas mark 6. Heat the oil in a large frying pan and cook the diced onions for 5 minutes until softened. Add the pork mince and fry for a further 5 minutes, until browned all over.  Stir in the mushrooms and cook for 3-4 minutes or until softened.

Pour ¾ of the tomato and mascarpone sauce into the frying pan, followed by the tin of chopped tomatoes and sage. Simmer for 5-6 minutes, until slightly thickened. Add the spinach and cook until wilted. Mix well to ensure it is covered with sauce.

Begin to layer the lasagne in an ovenproof baking dish. Start with a layer of the pork mixture then cover with a layer of butternut squash lasagne sheets. Repeat this until the mix is used up, ensuring the butternut squash is the final layer.

Top with the remaining tomato and mascarpone sauce and a generous topping of parmesan cheese. Bake in the oven for 45-50 minutes until a golden brown crust has formed. Take out of the oven and allow to sit loosely covered with foil for 15 minutes. Serve alongside the salad leaves.