Globe Artichoke, Vegetarian Scotch Egg & Stuffed Onion

Video Recipe

For the artichoke: 1 globe artichoke, 1 lemon, salt and pepper, 50 g goats cheese, extra virgin olive oil

To peel the artichokes take off the hard outer leaves. Using a bread knife cut along the top half of the head and discard any hard leaves below. You should now be holding just the cup and stem. Using a teaspoon press into the furry centre (the choke) and work out all the fur and discard. Immediately rub with lemon to stop discolouring. Now remove the stem, peel any outer skin working round the outside with bread or paring knife, and once this layer has been removed, again rub with lemon to stop discolouring.

Cook in simmering water for about 10 minutes, and place in a pan with a little olive oil under a low flame for 3-4 minutes. Now stuff the artichoke cup with goats cheese, season and bake in the oven at 180oC for 10 minutes

For the stuffed onion: 1 tsp. marmite, 1 large onion, 1 small tomato, 80g breadcrumbs, 60g feta crumbled, 40g fresh parsley, 2 tsp. extra virgin olive oil, 1 small garlic clove crushed, 1 spring onion sliced thinly, unsalted butter for greasing.

Add the Marmite to 1/2 pint of water and bring to a simmer. To prep the onion trim 1/4 inch off the top and bottom, then cut in half lengthways. Remove the hard outer skin and carefully take out most of the insides, keeping only two layers of the lighter skin. Carefully separate the outer layers from each other and place in the simmering marmite stock. Cook for two to three minutes, until just tender, then drain well and leave to cool slightly.

To make the stuffing, use a coarse cheese grater to grate the tomato into a large bowl (you will be left with most of the skin in your hand; discard it). Add breadcrumbs, feta, parsley, oil, garlic, spring onion, salt and pepper. Fill each onion skin with stuffing. Pull the sides together so that you end up with a fat cigar shape. Place seam-side down in the buttered dish. Bake for 20 minutes, until soft and lightly coloured, with the stuffing bubbling.

For the scotch egg: 50g tinned chick peas, 1/2 clove garlic pan fried until soft, 1/2 shallot pan fried until soft, 1 tspn. chopped parsley, 1 tspn coriander chopped, 2 quale’s eggs cooked until soft and then peeled, 50g bread crumbs, 1 beaten egg, 2 tablespoons plain flour, vegetable for deep frying

Mix the chickpeas with the onion, garlic and herbs. Wrap this around both eggs. Now coat eggs in flour, then egg and finally breadcrumbs. Deep fry for 2 minutes at 150oC then set aside.

For the roasted carrots: 2 baby baby carrots, 50g butter, and 1 sprig of thyme, salt and pepper.

Trim the stalks on the carrots, mix with the butter and thyme and cook in an oven at 160oC for 20-25 minutes, season to taste.

For the carrot crumb: 1 carrot

Slice the carrot thinly on a mandolin and then deep fry at 150oC until crispy.

For the mash: 200g potatoes peeled and chopped into large pieces, 60g butter, 20ml milk, salt and pepper.

Place the potatoes in a pan, cover with salted water and cook until soft. Now drain, mash, pass through a sieve and finally add butter, milk, salt and pepper

For the Pistou: 6 table spoons extra virgin olive oil, 2 basil leave sliced thinly (chiffonade), 1 clove garlic crushed.

Place all in a large mortar and pound together, or blitz in a food processor.