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This wonderfully warming soup is made with English vine-ripened tomatoes that are oven-roasted to bring out their natural sweetness. It’s perfect to serve on Bonfire Night with crusty bread. For outdoor eating serve in warmed mugs.

Serves: 4

Ingredients

  • 950g English vine-ripened tomatoes, quartered
  • 2 red onions, finely sliced
  • 4 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 6 rashers dry cure smoked streaky bacon
  • 1 litre hot vegetable stock
  • 4 tsp balsamic vinegar

Method

  1. Preheat the oven if necessary to 220°C/ESSE Dial Guide HOT. (Aim for the dial reading to be at the top end of HOT).
  2. Place the tomatoes, red onion and garlic in a roasting tin. Drizzle with the olive oil and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Roast for 20 minutes until softened and slightly charred.
  3. Meanwhile, put the bacon on a rack et over a baking tray and place in the oven for the last 15 minutes of the tomatoes cooking time. Remove when crisp, leave until cool then break into pieces.
  4. Bring the stock to the boil in a large pan, add the roasted tomato mixture and mix well. Puree until smooth.
  5. Reheat if necessary then ladle into warmed bowls or mugs. Drizzle with the balsamic vinegar and scatter with the crispy bacon to serve.

Variation

This soup is also delicious served cold in the warm Summer months. Prepare as above, chill and serve drizzled with balsamic vinegar and torn Parma ham rather than crisply bacon.

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These muffins have a dark side to them… from the beetroot added to give colour and flavour.  Great for Hallowe’en, they provide a sweet, sticky end to the festivities!

Makes: 12 large muffins

Ingredients

  • 200g golden syrup
  • 200g black treacle
  • 150g unsalted butter
  • 125g dark brown sugar
  • 100g stem ginger, finely chopped
  • 4 tsp ground ginger
  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 250g pack cooked beetroot
  • 250ml milk
  • 2 medium eggs, beaten
  • 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
  • 300g plain flour

Icing:

  • 150g icing sugar
  • zest of 1 lemon, plus 1 tbsp
  • lemon juice

Method

  1. Preheat the oven if necessary to 180°C/ESSE Dial Guide MODERATE. (Aim for the dial reading to be at the top end of MODERATE or very low end of HOT). Line a large 12-hole muffin tray with cases.
  2. Place the golden syrup, black treacle, butter, sugar, stem ginger, ground ginger and cinnamon in a pan and warm until the butter and sugar have melted.
  3. Meanwhile, puree the beetroot with the milk, eggs and bicarbonate of soda. Add to the slightly cooled sugar mixture, mixing well.
  4. Sift the flour into a bowl then beat in the beetroot mixture until the mixture is smooth.
  5. Divide between the muffin cases. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until firm but springy to the touch. Be careful not to overcook the muffins, they are nice a little sticky. Remove from the rack tray and leave to cool on a rack.
  6. While the muffins are cooling make the icing. Mix the icing sugar with the lemon zest and lemon juice to make a smooth paste. Drizzle over the muffins when completely cold.

Get Ahead

These muffins keep really well for up to 4 days if stored in an airtight tin.

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This is a delicious vegetarian pasta dish with contrasting flavours and textures from the soft shallots and pumpkin, to the al dente pasta (with a bite) to the crunchy pumpkin seeds.

Serves 4

Ingredients

  • 1 small pumpkin
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 20 small shallots, peeled
  • 300g dried or fresh penne pasta
  • 1 chilli, seeded and finely sliced
  • 15g butter
  • 6 tbsp water
  • 1 sprig rosemary, chopped
  • Grated Parmesan cheese, to serve

Method

  1. Preheat the oven if necessary to 180°C/ESSE Dial Guide MODERATE. (Aim for the dial reading to be at the top end of MODERATE or the very low end of HOT).
  2. Peel and cut the pumpkin into bite-sized pieces, reserving the pumpkin seeds. Place the pumpkin in a pan with the olive oil and salt and pepper to taste. Sauté for about 5 minutes until coloured on the outside. Add the shallots and cook for a further 5-10 minutes. Remove from the pan and set aside.
  3. Meanwhile, cook the pasta in boiling, salted water according to the packet instructions. Drain, rinse and keep warm. Toast the pumpkin seeds in the oven for 5 minutes.
  4. Return a quarter of the pumpkin and shallot mixture to the pan with the chilli, butter, water and rosemary. Heat through to make a bubbly sauce. Add the remaining pumpkin mixture then finally fold in the cooked pasta.
  5. Serve on warmed plates dusted with a little Parmesan cheese and scattered with the pumpkin seeds.

Variation

Those who miss meat might welcome the addition of come cooked and sliced spicy sausage at the end of cooking.

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This creamy lemon tart is perfect all year round but especially good in the late Summer or Autumn months when fruit choice for the topping is abundant. The fruit selection in the photograph gives some ideas but feel free to choose your own favourites.

Serves: 8

Ingredients

Filling:

  • 3 eggs
  • 160g caster sugar
  • grated zest and juice of 2 lemons
  • 160g butter, melted
  • 90g ground almonds

Topping:

  • selection of fresh fruit like sliced
  • green apples (dipped in lemon juice), sliced fresh or canned peaches, apricots and pears, sliced strawberries, sliced kiwi, blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, sliced and halved grapes
  • mint sprigs, to decorate (optional)

Method

  1. Preheat the oven if necessary to 190˚C/ ESSE Dial Guide HOT. (Aim for the dial reading to be at the low end of HOT).
  2. Make the pastry according to the recipe instructions. Roll out and line a 23cm fluted flan tin and chill for 10 minutes. Cover with foil and weight with baking beans then bake ‘blind’ for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and beans and cook for a further 5 minutes.
  3. Meanwhile, whisk the eggs and sugar until they are very thick. Stir in the lemon zest and juice then the melted butter and almonds. Pour into the prepared pastry case. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the filling is golden and set. Allow to cool.
  4. To serve, top the tart with a selection of fresh fruit and decorate with mint sprigs if liked. Cut into wedges to serve with cream, crème fraîche, yogurt or ice cream

Get Ahead

The tart can be made up to 24 hours ahead but to avoid the fruit drying out, glaze with a mixture of 2tbsp apricot jam warmed until syrupy with 2 tbsp water. Spoon over the fruit when cooled but still liquid

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This superb soup has a fantastic taste, enhanced by adding the rind from the cheese as it cooks, to extract every bit of flavour. You’ll need roughly 500g butternut squash when peeled and deseeded. If you have any leftover, simply roast to serve as a vegetable with another meal.

Serves: 4-6

Ingredients

  • 150g Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, with rind
  • 25g butter 1 large onion, finely chopped
  • 1 medium butternut squash, peeled, deseeded and chopped into chunks
  • 900ml hot vegetable stock
  • 150ml milk
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 4-6 slices French bread
  • chopped fresh parsley or thyme, to garnish

Method

  1. Reserve the rind from the Parmigiano-Reggiano and cut into chunks, then finely grate the cheese.
  2. Melt the butter in a large pan, add the onion and cook gently for about 3 minutes, until softened but not browned. Add the squash, stock and cheese rind. Heat until the mixture is just simmering, then partially cover with a lid and cook gently for about 20 minutes, until the vegetables are soft and tender.
  3. Remove the rind from the pan and discard. Purée the mixture with most of the grated cheese until smooth (reserve just a little for the garnish). Return the soup to the pan, add the milk and salt and pepper to taste and stir to mix. Reheat until piping hot.
  4. Meanwhile, toast the bread, sprinkle with the reserved cheese and grill or bake to melt.
  5. To serve, ladle the soup into warmed bowls and top each with a piece of French toast. Sprinkle with chopped parsley or thyme and serve at once

Tip

Other edible squashes can be used to make this soup. If using small round squash why not keep the scooped out shells and ladle the soup into them for serving? Takes care of the washing up too!

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This colourful and vibrant ginger and carrot soup is deliciously smooth and comforting but does have a bit of a kick. Don’t be tempted to omit the lemon herb cream topping… it lifts this soup into the luxury class. Serve with crusty wholemeal bread for a substantial starter or lunch dish. If freezing the soup do so without the topping.

Serves 4

Ingredients

  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 600g carrots, peeled and chopped
  • 2 onions, chopped
  • 1 clove garlic, crushed
  • 1 tsp ground ginger
  • 1 tsp medium curry powder
  • 1.5 litres good vegetable stock
  • pared rind of 1 lemon
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • Lemon Herb Cream:
  • 200g crème fraiche
  • finely grated rind of 1 lemon
  • 2 tsp chopped fresh parsley
  • 2 tsp snipped chives
  • 1 carrot, peeled and grated, to garnish (optional)

Method

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large pan. Add the carrots and onions and cook gently for 5-8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the garlic, ginger and curry powder and cook for 1 minute.
  2. Add the stock, lemon strips and salt and pepper to taste. Half cover the pan with its lid, and simmer gently for about 20 minutes or until the carrots are very tender.
  3. Cool slightly then puree until smooth. Return the soup to the pan, taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary and reheat to serve.
  4. To make the topping, mix the crème fraiche with the lemon rind, parsley and chives.
  5. To serve, ladle the soup into warmed bowls and top each with a spoonful of the prepared lemon herb cream. Garnish with a little grated carrot if liked.

Tip

If preferred top the soup with fried bread croutons but toss them in grated Parmesan cheese after cooking for a crunchy topping with attitude!

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This salad looks and tastes stunning, yet takes no time to prepare at all. When the sun decides to shine this is perfect for an informal picnic lunch with friends and family.

Serves 4

Ingredients

  • 600ml chicken stock
  • 400g fresh turkey strips
  • 1 small iceberg lettuce, roughly chopped
  • 10 cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 25g toasted pine nuts

Dressing

  • 150ml mayonnaise
  • 3 tbsp ready-made green pesto
  • 2 tsp snipped chives
  • 2 tsp chopped fresh parsley
  • 4 spring onions, chopped
  • 15g grated Parmesan cheese
  • 3 tbsp white wine vinegar
  • 2 tbsp cold water
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Method

  1. Bring the stock to a boil in a pan. Add the turkey strips and simmer for 8-10 minutes, or until thoroughly cooked. Drain, allow to cool and cut any large strips into bite-sized pieces.
  2. Toss the cooled turkey with the peppers, lettuce, tomatoes and pine nuts in a serving bowl or transportable dish.
  3. Meanwhile, to make the dressing, place the mayonnaise in a jug with the pesto, chives, parsley, spring onions and half of the Parmesan, Whisk in the vinegar and water to make a loose dressing. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
  4. Drizzle the turkey mixture with the dressing and sprinkle with the remaining cheese to serve. This is delicious served with crusty bread.

Variation

Coronation Turkey Salad:

Prepare the turkey as above but mix with a light curried dressing. Prepare by mixing 75ml mayonnaise with 75ml natural yogurt, 2 tsp curry paste, grated zest and juice of 1 orange, 1 tsp grated root ginger, 1 tsp chopped red chilli and salt and pepper to taste.

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There’s nothing much more enticing than a crispy skin salmon fillet on a bed of shallot sautéed potatoes with a herby tomato dressing… unless it’s second helpings! This recipe also works well with other fish fillets like sea bass but equally as good with a meat fillet of your choice.

Serves 2

Ingredients

  • 200g new potatoes
  • 4 large shallots, peeled and finely chopped
  • 50ml vegetable oil
  • 100ml white wine
  • 5g fresh basil, coarsely chopped
  • 2g fresh tarragon, coarsely chopped
  • 10g snipped chives
  • 10g fresh flat-leaf parsley, coarsely chopped
  • juice of ½ lemon
  • 1 large tomato, skinned, seeded and chopped
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 15g butter
  • 2 x 150g salmon fillets

Method

  1. Cook the potatoes in boiling salted water until tender, about 15 minutes. Drain, cut each potato in half and set aside.
  2. Heat one-third of the oil in a pan, add half of the shallots and cook for 5 minutes. Add the white wine and cook until it has almost completely evaporated. Remove from the heat, add another one-third of the oil, the basil, tarragon, chives, parsley, lemon juice, tomatoes and salt and pepper to taste.
  3. Heat most of the remaining oil in a large non-stick frying pan. Add the potatoes and cook until starting to colour. Add the remaining shallots, butter and seasoning to taste. Cook until golden.
  4. Meanwhile, brush the salmon fillets with any remaining oil and cook in a non-stick pan until tender. Cook skin-side down first for about 4 minutes, until the skin is crispy, then turn over and cook for a further 1 minute.
  5. To serve, spoon the potatoes onto a plate, spoon over the herby sauce and top with a salmon fillet.

Tip

If you’re looking for a quick and easy dessert for then nothing could be more indulgent than chocolate dipped strawberries. Dip whole, unhulled strawberries in melted chocolate (holding the stalk to assist with this), place on non-stick parchment and chill to set. Share of course!

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This recipe is loosely based on the classic French crepe suzette but uses sweet apples as well as orange and lemon. It would be lovely served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Serves 4

Ingredients

Crepes:

  • 125g plain flour
  • 1 vanilla pod, split in half
  • 2 large eggs
  • 200ml milk
  • 15g butter, melted plus extra for cooking

Topping:

  • 150ml fresh orange juice
  • grated zest of 1 orange and 1 lemon
  • 3 tbsp caster sugar
  • 3 cardamom pods, crushed
  • 30g butter, melted
  • 2 Pink Lady apples, cored, thickly sliced and slices halved

Method

  1. To make the crepes, put the flour and vanilla seeds in a bowl and add the eggs. Gradually whisk in the milk and butter to make smooth batter.
  2. Heat a large frying pan and brush with a little extra melted butter. Pour in  a ladleful of the batter, swirl the pan to make a large thin pancake and cook for 1-2 minutes, turning halfway through until golden and cooked. Fold into quarters, transfer to a warm plate and keep warm. Repeat with the remaining batter to make 4 large crepes in total.
  3. To make the topping, put the orange juice, orange and lemon zest, sugar and cardamom pods into the frying pan and bring to the boil. Gradually stir in the melted butter. Add the apples and crepes and gently warm through, tossing in the sauce. Serve at once.

Tip

Adults might like the addition of 2 tbsp Curacao or Grand Marnier to the topping for a special occasion.

 

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Enjoy the best of British food with ESSE range recipes with the help of River Cottage head chef, Gill Meller.

Here, Gill Meller takes us through a step-by-step demonstration recipe, cooking scallops with jerusalem artichokes cooked using the ESSE flued Gas range cooker with Plus 2 companion.

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Why not add a twist to your normal pancake repertoire, by making these scrumptious savoury pancakes? They’re made by simply adding flakes of Pollock and prawns to a creamy cheese and herb sauce that’s perfect for filling home-made pancakes.

Serves 4

Ingredients

  • 400g smoked wild Alaska Pollock

Pancakes:

  • 100g plain flour
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 medium egg
  • 300ml milk
  • Vegetable oil for cooking

Sauce:

  • 300ml milk
  • 40g butter
  • 40g plain flour
  • 100g mature Cheddar cheese, grated
  • 75g cooked peeled prawns
  • 1tbsp chopped fresh parsley, dill or chives

Method

  1. Put the smoked Pollock in a frying pan and cover with water. Heat and simmer for 5-6 minutes until the fish is cooked. The flesh should be opaque and should flake easily. Drain and cool, then flake into large chunks. Set aside.
  2. To make the pancakes, put the flour, a little seasoning and egg in a bowl. Gradually whisk in the milk to make a smooth batter.
  3. Heat a medium heavy-based frying pan and add a few drops of oil. Pour in a ladleful of the batter, swirl the pan to make a thin pancake and cook for 1-2 minutes, turning halfway through until golden and cooked. Transfer to a warmed plate and repeat to make a total of 8 pancakes.
  4. To make the sauce, put the milk, butter and flour in a pan. Heat, whisking constantly, until smooth and thickened. Add the cheese and stir to melt. Add the Pollock, prawns, seasoning to taste and most of the herbs. Heat gently then use to fill the pancakes. Sprinkle with the remaining herbs to serve.

Get Ahead!

The pancakes can be made ahead and placed in a large greased baking dish. Cover with foil and chill. Reheat in the oven at 180°C/Esse Dial Guide MODERATE. (Aim for the dial reading to be at the top end of MODERATE or very low end of HOT) for about 10 minutes.

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For a treat of ‘breakfast in bed’, this recipe hits the spot every time for me. It’s a variation of a ‘Full English’ with eggs, sausage, bacon, potatoes and tomatoes in one pan with a side portion of smoky beans. It’s simple enough for any teenager to prepare and it can also be made well ahead and just reheated (by those who dislike early mornings).

Serves 4

Ingredients

  • sunflower or olive oil
  • 1 onion, cut into 6 wedges
  • 225g new potatoes, cooked and sliced
  • 2 sausages, cooked and sliced
  • 2 rashers lean back bacon, cooked and chopped
  • 5 eggs
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
  • 6 cherry tomatoes, halved (optional)
  • 400g can baked beans
  • ½-1 tsp smoked paprika

Method

  1. Smear a large non-stick frying pan (with heatproof handle) liberally with sunflower or olive oil. Heat, add the onion and cook for about 6-7 minutes or until browned.
  2. Add the potatoes, sausage and bacon. Cook for a further 7 minutes, shaking the pan occasionally.
  3. Beat the eggs with seasoning to taste and the parsley. Pour gently over the potato mixture to cover evenly. Return to a low heat and cook gently for a further 15 minutes until the eggs are just set. Add the tomatoes to the top if using.
  4. Meanwhile, preheat the grill until hot. Place the frittata under the grill and cook for 2-3 minutes until the top is lightly browned. Alternatively place in a very hot oven and cook until the top is lightly browned.
  5. At the same time, place the beans in a pan with the smoked paprika and heat until hot. Serve the frittata cut into wedges with a portion of beans on the side.

Get Ahead!

The frittata can be prepared a day ahead then chilled until required. Reheat in a moderate oven until hot, about 10-15 minutes. The smoky beans are best made fresh.

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This cheesecake looks stunning and tastes divine, yet takes only minutes to prepare. It can be topped with almost any prepared fruit of your choice and is wonderful with a little single cream to serve. If liked some sultanas or chopped stem ginger could be added to the basic cream cheese mixture.

Serves 8

Ingredients

  • 50g butter
  • 50g clear honey
  • 150g rolled porridge oats
  • 400g cream cheese
  • 3 medium eggs, separated
  • 75g caster sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla essence
  • 150g fresh strawberries, thinly sliced
  • mint sprigs, to garnish

Method

  1. Preheat the oven if necessary to 180˚C/Esse Dial Guide MODERATE. (Aim for the dial reading to be at the top end of MODERATE or very low end of HOT).
  2. Melt the butter and the honey in a pan then stir in the oats, mixing well. Press onto the base of a 20cm round, loose-bottomed cake tin.
  3. Whisk the cream cheese with the egg yolks, sugar and vanilla essence until smooth.
  4. Whisk the egg whites until stiff then fold into the cream cheese mixture. Pour into the cake tin.
  5. Bake in the oven for 35-40 minutes or until golden and just firm to the touch. Allow to cool before removing from the tin and transferring to a serving plate.
  6. Chill well then top with the sliced strawberries and mint to serve.

Variation

Oaty Baked Rhubarb Cheesecake: Prepare as above but top with 225g cooked rhubarb mixed with 5 tbsp warmed preserve. Rhubarb compôte is particularly good.

 

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Here is a fish dish that is perfect for Good Friday eating or great for a simple mid-week supper. Jersey Royal potatoes are simply unbeatable when available in the Spring but any other waxy potato can be used when out of season. A mixed baby leaf salad makes a fine accompaniment.

Serves 4

Ingredients

  • 450g Jersey Royal potatoes, scrubbed
  • 2 spring onions, finely chopped
  • 2 tbsp snipped chives
  • 3 tbsp mayonnaise
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • olive oil
  • 4 fillets fresh mackerel
  • lemon wedges, to serve

Method

  1. Place the Jersey Royals in a pan of salted water, bring to the boil and simmer until the potatoes are cooked, about 15-25 minutes (depending upon size). Drain and cut any large potatoes into bitesized pieces.
  2. Add the spring onions, chives, mayonnaise and salt and pepper to taste and gently fold together. Keep warm while cooking the mackerel.
  3. Lightly smear a frying pan with olive oil and heat until hot. Add the mackerel fillets, skin-side down, reduce the heat to a gentle sizzle and cook until golden brown, about 4-5 minutes. Flip over, season to taste and cook for a further minute or until the fish is cooked. Remove from the heat and allow to rest for 2 minutes.
  4. To serve, place a portion of the warmed potato salad in the centre of 4 plates. Top each with a mackerel fillet. Serve at once with wedges of lemon to squeeze over the fish.

Tip

This dish needs nothing more than a simple baby leaf salad accompaniment. Consider leaves of watercress, corn salad, rocket, chard or spinach tossed in a citrusy lemon dressing.

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Serves 4

  • 1 lb (450g) King Edward potatoes
  • 1 oz (25g) Goose fat, dripping or 1 tbsp rapeseed oil
  • 1 tbsp Plain flour (or a mixture of polenta, ground rice, seasoning and mixed herbs)

Method

Oven: ESSE 220 (thermodial at about 25 past the hour)
Prepare ahead: 24 hours, reheat on 2nd runners in 220 oven for 10 minutes in a shallow tin
Freeze: Yes. Reheat from frozen on 2nd runners in 220 oven for 25 minutes in a shallow tin

  1. If using dripping or goose fat, set in a bowl on the back of the cooker to melt.
  2. Line a shallow roasting tin with greaseproof paper. Cut the potatoes into even sized pieces. Put into a pan of cold water. Cover, bring to the boil, and simmer for a minute. Drain then add the flour or polenta mixture. Shake well, then pour in the fat and shake again.
  3. Tip the coated potatoes into the tin and hang from the second set of runners and cook for about an hour, until crisp and golden.

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Serves 4

Ingredients

  • 1lb (450g) Brussels sprouts
  • 1 oz (25g) Butter
  • 1 oz (25g) Plain flour
  • ½ pint (300ml) Milk
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 2 Eggs
  • 3 oz (75g) Cheddar cheese
  • Salt and pepper

Method

Oven: ESSE 200 (thermodial at about 25 past the hour)
Prepare ahead: 1 hour
Freeze: Before baking

  1. Trim and halve the sprouts (if they are large) and put into a pan, cover with water and put onto the boiling plate. Boil for 3-4 minutes until tender. Drain and pile into an ovenproof dish (2 pints / 1 litre). Put into the slow cooking oven to keep warm while you make the sauce.
  2. Melt the butter in the still-warm pan and stir in the flour, off the heat. Slowly add the milk, stirring all the time. Set onto the simmering plate and bring to the boil, stirring.
  3. Grate the cheese and separate the eggs.
  4. Remove the sauce from the heat and stir in the cheese, mustard and egg yolks. Whisk the egg whites then fold them into the sauce.
  5. Pour over the sprouts and then cook in the centre of the hot oven for 15-20 minutes until puffed up and golden.
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