Tomato Bean and Bacon Stew

 This is a recipe that I've made so many times but can no longer find the original anywhere. It's taken from Nigel Slater many years ago and it's a lovely healthy gorgeous winter warmer of a recipe. Nowadays I kind of make it up as I go along and try and remember what is actually in it :)

Anyway - this is my take on this recipe, to be changed at will given how I remember it!

Ingredients

3 Large Carrots Roughly Chopped

3 Sticks Celery Roughly Chopped

2 Large Onions Roughly Chopped

4 Fat Cloves Garlic Minced

200gms Smoked Bacon Lardons ( or Smoked Streaky Bacon )

Half  a Savoy  Cabbage Deveined and Chopped

Half a Tube Tomato Puree

1 Tin Tomatoes ( 400gms ) 

3 Tins Beans - any type really, I used Borlotti, Canellini and Butter Beans

1 Green Chilli Finely Chopped

1 Teaspoon Dried Mixed Herbs

2 Large Bay Leaves

2 vegetable Stock pots / Cubes

Olive Oil

Good Handful Chopped Flat Leaf Parsley

Couple of Ounces Grated Parmesan to Finish

In a large flameproof pan ( with a lid if possible ), heat a good splash of olive oil and fry onions and garlic for a few minutes but not until brown,  add bacon and stir for a couple of minutes. Add chilli and celery and stir for a couple of minutes.

Add carrots and stir for a couple of minutes, add tomato puree, stock pots, herbs, tinned tomatoes, bay leaves and drained and cleaned beans. 

Give it all a good stir and cover with water.

Bring to the boil and put on the lid. Lower the Temperature to a gentle simmer and cook for about an hour or until the carrots are cooked through.

At this point the stew can be turned off until it's needed.

Half an hour or so before serving, bring the stew up to temperature and add the cabbage.

Pop the lid on and cook through for about 10 minutes or until the cabbage is tender. Add Parsley

Serve with crusty bread and grated Parmesan cheese - delicious!

Thanks Nigel Slater whatever this recipe actually started out as :)