Golden Berry Nut Roast

Preparation and cooking time: 1 hour | Calories per portion: 377

Serves 4

4 tbsp olive oil

1 onion, chopped

250g/9oz mushrooms, sliced

5 spring onions/scallions, thinly sliced

1 celery stalk, finely sliced

1 tbsp plain/all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting

300ml/10½fl oz/1¼ cups vegetable stock

120g/4¼oz/1 cup finely chopped hazelnuts, Brazil nuts and cashew nuts

1 apple, peeled, cored and diced

150g/5½oz/1¾ cups fresh breadcrumbs

1 tbsp soy sauce

2 tbsp finely chopped parsley and sage

1cm/½in piece of root ginger, peeled and grated

250g/9oz dried golden berries

sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F/Gas 6. Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large, heavy saucepan and gently fry the onion until soft. Turn up the heat a little and add the mushrooms. Stir-fry until they release their moisture and turn slightly golden. Add the spring onions/scallions and celery and sauté for another minute, then sprinkle in the flour. Stir well until all the vegetables are coated. Pour in the stock, stirring all the time. Bring to the boil and simmer for a couple of minutes. Stir in the nuts, apple, breadcrumbs, soy sauce, herbs, ginger and golden berries. Mix well and season with salt and pepper.

Leave the mixture to cool a little, then pour it onto a floured board. Dust your hands with a little flour and shape the mixture to form a ‘loaf‘ that will fit into a medium roasting pan. Pour the remaining oil into the roasting pan and heat in the oven. Place the nut loaf in the pan and bake for 35 minutes, basting with the oil from time to time.

Serve with potatoes, green vegetables and Gooseberry Sauce (see page 189).

NUTRITION PROFILE (per portion)

15% protein, 49% fat, 34% carbohydrate, 3% fibre

VITAMINS AND MINERALS (percentage of RDA)

Vitamin A 4%, E 26%, C 23%, B1 36%, B2 18%, B3 29%, B5 25%, B6 24%, folate 33%, biotin 30%, potassium 28%, calcium 13%, magnesium 26%, iron 26%, zinc 17%, manganese 60%, selenium 313%, iodine 3%

HEALTH BENEFITS

Rich in antioxidants and omega oils | helps lower blood cholesterol | reduces stress and restlessness | immunity booster | helps red blood cells to function properly