RECIPE | Chrismas vegetable loaf

Serves: 8

Ingredients:

1 green pepper, seeded and very finely diced

1 onion, finely chopped

1 large carrot, finely chopped

2 celery sticks, finely chopped

1 large courgette, finely diced

3 sprigs fresh thyme

1 garlic clove, finely chopped

45ml (3 tbsp) olive oil

Salt and pepper

300g mixed mushrooms, finely diced

1 extra-large egg, lightly beaten

200g mature cheddar cheese, grated

50g mixed nuts, lightly toasted and roughly chopped

120g (1 cup) dried breadcrumbs

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 180ºC.
2. Place the green pepper, onion, carrot, celery, courgette, thyme and garlic in a roasting pan. Pour over the oil, toss to coat well and season. Roast for 20 minutes.
3. Add the mushrooms and roast for a further 10 minutes.
4. Transfer to a large bowl and allow to cool before adding the egg, three-quarters of the cheese, the nuts and three-quarters of the breadcrumbs.
5. Spoon into a loaf pan lined with baking paper and sprinkle with the remaining cheese and breadcrumbs.
6. Bake for 50-60 minutes at 180ºC, then turn out and slice.