Mary Berry Puy Lentil Bake Food

POTATO AND LENTIL BAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 180°C/160°C fan/350°F/Gas 4 and butter the oven-proof dish.
• Heat the oil in the oven-proof frying pan, add the onions and sweat off for about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cookout for a few seconds.
• Add the lentils, white wine, tomato paste and stock, stir and bring to the boil.
• Add the sun-dried tomatoes and season with salt and pepper.
• Cover the pan with a lid and place in the oven for about 50-60 minutes or until the lentils are cooked and the liquid is absorbed.
• Remove from the oven and stir in the Worcestershire sauce.
• Meanwhile, melt the butter in a pan, add the mushrooms and fry over a high heat for a minute.
• Lower the heat, cover with a lid and cook for a few more minutes.
• Remove the lid and increase the heat slightly to allow the liquid to evaporate.
• Once all the liquid has been evaporated, season with salt and pepper and add to the lentils and give a quick stir.
• Transfer into the ovenproof dish.
• Increase the oven temperature to 220°C/200°C fan/420°F/Gas 7.

VEGETABLE AND LENTIL COTTAGE PIE

Steps:

• Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large, non-stick saute pan. Add the onions and garlic and fry for 8-10 minutes over a medium-high heat or until starting to turn golden, stirring occasionally. Pour the remaining tablespoon of oil into the pan, tip in the carrots and swede, and fry for 3 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium. Stir in the lentils, tomatoes, sun-dried tomato paste, and stock. Season and simmer, covered, for 35-40 minutes over a low heat, until the carrots and swede are tender and the lentils have softened. Remove from the heat, stir in the spinach, and let it wilt. Check the sauce's consistency (see below, Moist, juicy filling). Pour the mixture into the baking dish. Leave to cool. Preheat the oven to 200oC (fan 180oC/400oF/Gas 6). Put the potatoes into a large pan and cover with cold water. Bring to the boil, add salt, and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until tender. Drain well. Put the butter and milk in the pan and warm through over a low heat. Remove from the heat, return the potatoes to the pan, and mash with the milk and butter, then whisk until smooth (see below, Smooth, creamy mash). Season, then stir in the cheese. Spread the mash over the filling (see below, Decorative topping). Bake for 30-40 minutes until golden and bubbling. KEYS TO PERFECTION Moist, juicy filling The filling should be moist with plenty of sauce, but not sloppy. Add 2-3 tablespoons of water if it's too dry. Leave the filling to cool before adding the topping, as it will support the mash better. Smooth, creamy mash The potatoes are ready for mashing when a knife goes in easily. If undercooked, the mash will be lumpy; if overcooked, it will be sloppy. Mash the potatoes with hot milk and butter off the heat, then whisk with a balloon whisk. Decorative topping Spoon the cheesy, seasoned mash over the cooled vegetable and lentil layer. Spread it evenly over the surface, making patterns like furrows with a round-bladed knife to create an attractive, textured effect. Mary Berry Cooks the Perfect is available in paperback with an exclusive tote bag from 3 November. DK, £20.00.

FRENCH LENTILS WITH GARLIC AND THYME

Steps:

• Place a large saucepan over medium heat and add oil. When hot, add chopped vegetables and sauté until softened, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Add 6 cups water, lentils, thyme, bay leaves and salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a fast simmer.
• Simmer lentils until they are tender and have absorbed most of the water, 20 to 25 minutes. If necessary, drain any excess water after lentils have cooked. Serve immediately, or allow them to cool and reheat later.