Fantasy Veggie Dinner Guest – L S LOWRY

Back before "Greater Manchester" was even a twinkle in the eye of a local government clerk, Pendlebury and Salford were definitely in Lancashire.

Lowry lived and worked there for more than 40 years. He represented people at work and play (along with their ‘matchstalk’ cats and dogs).

If he came to dinner, there is one dish which Zelda would have to serve him...

Vegetarian Lancashire Hot Pot

2 tbsp olive oil 

4 vegetarian burgers, defrosted if frozen, chopped into bite-sized pieces or, as used here, 2 Quorn vegetarian beef steaks

2 onions, peeled and chopped finely

1 tbsp plain flour 

400ml vegetable stock
1tsp Bisto granules

1 sprig fresh thyme  

1 fresh bay leaf

1 tbsp brown sauce  

50g butter, cut into cubes, plus extra for greasing

350g potatoes, peeled

salt and  black pepper

Heat the oil in a pan and fry the onions until they have softened. Add the meat substitute and cook until lightly browned.

Add the flour and stir in until everything is well coated with the flour.

Pour in the stock along with the Bisto, thyme, bay leaf and brown sauce. 

Simmer for about 10 minutes then discard the bay leaf.

Butter a lidded casserole dish.

Slice the potatoes into thin disks and place about one third of them in the bottom of the dish.

Season with salt and black pepper.

Then spoon in half of the ‘meat’ and thickened stock mixture.

Repeat the layering process, finishing with a layer of potatoes on top. 
Dot the potatoes with the butter.

Then cover with the lid.

Place into the oven at 220°C/425°F/Gas 7 and cook for 30 minutes. 
Then remove the lid.

Replace in the oven and cook for a further 20-25 minutes, or until the potatoes are golden-brown on top.