One of the pleasures of
travelling around the UK is the discovery of new foods and regional
dishes. We went up to Northumberland in the summer; a trip we have
made many times before. The county is well known in foodie circles
for its kippers, bangers and honey. Its not just about the produce though. Some of
the best known recipes are for Singin' Hinnies and Pan Haggerty but
one I kept coming across was for Alnwick Stew. Like many
Northumberland dishes it contains bacon or gammon. It's a simple and
frugal dish which is perfect for family meals at this time of year.
We've already had it several times since I first cooked it and it has
become a family favourite. I use cooking bacon as you usually get
quite thick pieces – thin rashers are no good for this stew. If you
don't use thick bacon use gammon instead.
Serves 4
Equipment: Casserole
dish with lid – I use a
Pyrex 1.5L glass round casserole dish
Ingredients
Butter for greasing
2 Large onions, sliced
1lb (500g) Cooking bacon,
cubed
1 tsp (5ml) English Mustard
powder
Black pepper
2 Bay leaves
Fresh sage, torn (optional)
1½lb
(700g) Potatoes, peeled and sliced
2 pints (900ml) Vegetable or
chicken stock
Method
1. Pre-heat the oven to
190°C/Gas
mark 5.
2. Grease
the casserole dish with the butter.
3. Line
the bottom of the dish with 1 of the sliced onions.
4. Put
half of the bacon on top.
5. Sprinkle
½
tsp (2.5ml) of the mustard powder on top followed by a grinding of
black pepper plus one of the bay leaves and the sage.
6. Cover
with half of the potato slices.
7. Repeat
this process again so you end with the top covered by potato.
8. Pour in the stock until just before it reaches the top potato slices. You
many not need all of the stock.
9. Cook
for 1 hour with the lid on and then remove the lid and cook for a
further 30 minutes.
Oh, my word, hungry for good food now, that looks lovely and filling, perfect comfort winter food! And the printable recipe page is a very good idea, much appreciated, thank you.xx
ReplyDeleteI'm pleased you like the recipe and the printable page. I sometimes forget to do it!
DeleteI really shouldn't read when I'm hungry, now I need to try this.
ReplyDeleteLooks delicious
I'm going to make it tonight for dinner! I have to have it again!
DeleteNow that looks a tasty dish, wonder if I can cook it in my slow cooker?
ReplyDeleteI think it would be possible to cook in the slow cooker but you wouldn't get the crispy potatoes on top. Perhaps you could pop it in the oven while the other vegetables are being prepared.
DeleteWhat a lovely stew! This looks very tasty and filling. I could do with this right now!
ReplyDeleteThank you for entering #CreditCrunchMunch
It is very tasty as all the bacon flavours the onions and potatoes.
DeleteYou cant beat a nice warming stew at this time of year!
ReplyDeleteIt's so lovely when the smell of it fills the kitchen as well. Helps warm you up I think!
DeleteWhat a lovely dish!
ReplyDeleteStew is the best choice this time of the year.
What a hearty winter dish. My children aren't keen on stew but if I told them it had gammon/bacon in I would definitely be on to a winner.
ReplyDeleteI do love stew in the winter - best tummy warmer ;)
ReplyDeleteOh, my life, if I could just reach through the screen to this x
ReplyDeleteI love Alnwick, but have never tried the stew. Looks delish!
ReplyDeleteI love stews with a layered potato top. Sounds lovely and warming..... perfect for the cooler days!
ReplyDeleteMmmm this looks delicious, perfect for the cold evenings! We love visiting Northumberland x #recipeoftheweek
ReplyDeleteWhat a delicious dish! I love oven foods like this, thank you for sharing. I will definitely cook this and I'm certain my son will love it too!
ReplyDeleteAu that sounds lovely - stew season is definitely here
ReplyDeleteThat looks delicious
ReplyDeleteI can't get enough of stews and comfort food... this looks delicious. I love the potato topping. Thanks for linking to #CookBlogShare
ReplyDelete