Long Player Kitchen

I will be honest and say that the first time I had ever heard of this dish, was through ‘River Cottage Veg’ and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall serving it up for some vegetarian swimmers. It’s a great TV series, I recommend getting a copy. Most things on it can be veganised too….

Hugh’s version though swayed slightly from the original. His is more of a quick, hearty, lunchtime soup and forgoes the addition of fresh basil, which in my opinion really helps. I think the butternut pumpkin really needs a littler extra time in the pot too. You want it falling a part to make it exactly what it is, a pumpkin and bean stew. My version is somewhere in the middle of Hugh’s versin and the original.

Porotos Granados originates from Chile and is a slow cooked bean stew. It is really healthy and is ideal in Winter as it really warms you up!

Serves 4 – 6 (it serves 4)

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons, olive oil
• 1 litre vegetable stock
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 red chilli, deseeded and chopped
• ½ butternut pumpkin (about 800g), peeled and cut into inch sized pieces
• 400g can beans (any, I used cannellini), drained and rinsed
• 400g can corn kernals, drained and rinsed
• 100 – 200g green beans, ends chopped off
• 1 small handful basil leaves, chopped
• 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon, dried oregano
• salt and pepper

Cook it:

1. Start by heating a casserole type dish over a medium heat. Once hot add your oil
2. Fry the onion for about 5 minutes
3. Add the garlic and chilli for 2 minutes
4. Add the pumpkin, oregano and paprika. Give everything a stir
5. Add the veg stock and raise heat to high. Bring to the boil and then lower heat to a simmer, cover and leave for 15 minutes, stirring every few minutes
6. Add beans, corn and green beans
7. Leave cooking over a low heat, uncovered for the remaining 15 minutes
8. Add fresh basil, season with salt and pepper and serve. Some crusty bread is good here

Recommended Tunes:

Arctic Monkeys “AM”

I am recommending this album for no other reason than it was what I was listening to when I made this dish. It does however work really with it and I relised halfway through that it is perfect for it. It’s a cool album, it is unlike the fast pace of their previous releases. It is like Homme has taken them to the desert and taught them how to slow down and add some heat.

AM to me, sounds like an Englishman getting taught about other cultures and realising that the best things are made from taking external influence, whilst being true to yourself.

Just like me and this dish! Haha

Listen – but do yourself a favour and buy it on vinyl!!