Last week I made the most beautiful winter warmer of a stew, a – dare I say, meaty mother of a cobbler made with mushrooms, leeks and ale. The smell was amazing. I got the idea from the fabulous Mildred’s vegetarian and vegan restaurant in Soho. They make a mushroom and ale pie that’s made richer by the inclusion of Marmite and topped with buttery, flaky pastry. It’s obscene it’s so good. I spied the ale, the mushrooms and the Marmite and set to work.
I got the beauty in the oven and I was already toying with the title of ‘hale and hearty’ for a blog post, healthy, hearty, a fantastically witty (!) pun on ale, wholesome and then the phone rang. My daughter had fallen in the playground, would I pop up to the school to see her? Oven off, coat on. Seven hours later, following two hours observation in a minor injuries unit, a surreal ambulance ride, tests and prodding in hospital and we got back home. We were both shaken and stirred but nothing worse than cuts, scrapes, chipped teeth and exhaustion from running the full gamut of parental emotion. Funnily enough I’d lost my appetite. Hale and hearty we most definitely were not.
Fast forward to the next day; a bright little girl, still beautiful and smiling despite looking like she’d been boxing and then had her lips enhanced by a short sighted backstreet cosmetic surgeon and we’re back on the tracks. Parenting is a lot of things – boring isn’t one of them.
- Soften the mushrooms, leeks and shallots in a little butter, I used a deep sauteeing pan
- Make a mugful of vegetable stock, I use good old Marigold
- Pour the flour into another mug and make a paste by gradually adding some of the hot stock
- Add this to the vegetables followed by the ale, Marmite, garlic, Worcestershire sauce and remaining stock
- Leave to bubble and thicken for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally
- To make the cobbler add the flour, mustard and baking powders to a large bowl
- Mix well and make a well in the middle
- Pour in the yogurt and the oil and mix well to form a dough, working with your hands and adding a little more oil if necessary. I think some strong cheddar and some chives would be amazing here and I’ll add them next time.
- The recipe suggests using a glass to cut out the rounds, I’m slovenly so I used a tumbler to roll out the dough too. Actually I’m not slovenly, I’m economising on the washing up.
- Preheat the oven to 200C / 180C Fan / Gas 6
- When the mushroom filling is thick and glossy looking transfer it into a casserole dish or ovenproof pot
- Arrange the cobbler rounds on the top and cook until the mushrooms are bubbling and the cobbler is risen and brown on top
Kids. They really put you through the mill don’t they? And then they bounce right back while you’re in tatters… This looks gorgeous. Mushrooms and marmite. Mmmmmm. I bet it smelled fantastic.
Indeed they do! Ahhh Marmite makes everything better and it did smell amazing.
That sounds amazing… And I still have some marmite too (does it ever run out?)
PS. Glad your little one is OK!
Thank you, she is 100% now. The Marmite does run out in our house and we’re a house divided too – 2 love, 2 hate! We currently have the ENORMOUS jar which Lily gets out the cupboard just to admire – and dip her finger in when she thinks nobody is looking!
This is the child who also likes a swig from the soy sauce bottle on the fly
And don’t forget the vinegar from the pickled onions too! She’s called Piccalily for a good reason!
This is right up my street, lovely warming comforting food.
Ticks all the boxes!
This looks amazing, just right for this horrible cold weather. I am glad that your daughter is okay x
It’s so cold isn’t it. Yes, it’s perfect for this weather and thanks for the good wishes x
I really feel for your Daughter having spent most of yesterday in the MIU at Good Hope Hospital persuading them that they didn’t need to imprison me overnight just because I’d collided rather heavily with the bathroom floor.
Oh Mike that’s awful, I hope you’re feeling better. It’s not a nice place to be..
I’m certainly feeling better than I did when the Doc was about to stitch me up, thanks. I suddenly started shivering even though I didn’t feel particularly cold. I’ve got something of a shiner and I’m assured I’ll have a noticeable scar above my right eye for quite a while. Other than that, I’m OK now thanks.
Looks wonderful, will definitely give it a go!
Thank you, I hope you like it!
Finally, a use for the plentiful mushrooms that arrive in my weekly veg box. I am the only one in my house who likes them, but that won’t stop me making this!
Brilliant, I hope you enjoy it, it’s really rich and lovely. There are a couple more ideas here:
http://www.viewfromthetable.co.uk/2012/09/porcini-paste-and-mushroom-feast.html
I’ve used a porcini paste but if you don’t have it I think the recipe will still be tasty
Veganise this by swapping butter for oil or vegan spread and making the cobbler bit with my vegan dumpling/pastry recipe
yum x
Easy peasy x
That looks just perfect for this time of year, might have to make it tonight. yum x
It’s really good Katie, let me know how you get on x
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