Name: Chestnut & pecan loaf with harissa sauce
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 55 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 2 tsp rapeseed oil; 1 onion finely chopped; 1 aubergine sliced lengthways and diced; 2 celery sticks finely chopped; 1 tsp dried sage; ½ tsp dried oregano; 3 tbsp thyme leaves; 2 large garlic cloves finely chopped; 2 x 400g cans borlotti beans drained; 1 egg; 25g wholemeal breadcrumbs; 180g pack cooked chestnuts roughly chopped; 50g pecans roughly chopped; smoked paprika for sprinkling (optional); 250ml passata; 1 garlic clove finely grated (optional); 1-2 tsp smoked chilli harissa; large pinch of dried oregano

Chestnut & pecan loaf with harissa sauce cut into slices

2 tsp rapeseed oil
1 onion
finely chopped
1 aubergine
sliced lengthways and diced
2 celery sticks
finely chopped
1 tsp dried sage
½ tsp dried oregano
3 tbsp thyme leaves
2 large garlic cloves
finely chopped
2 x 400g cans borlotti beans
drained
1 egg
25g wholemeal breadcrumbs
180g pack cooked chestnuts
roughly chopped
50g pecans
roughly chopped
smoked paprika
for sprinkling (optional)

For the sauce

250ml passata
1 garlic clove
finely grated (optional)
1-2 tsp smoked chilli harissa
large pinch of dried oregano

Method

step 1
Heat the oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5. Line a large loaf tin with baking parchment. Heat the oil in a large non-stick frying pan over a medium heat and fry the onion, aubergine, celery, dried herbs, thyme and garlic for 10 mins, stirring occasionally until soft and golden.
step 2
Tip one can of beans into a bowl along with three-quarters of the second can. Add half the fried veg mixture and the egg. Season and blitz with a hand blender until smooth. Stir in the breadcrumbs, three-quarters of the nuts, the rest of the veg and the reserved beans, then spoon into the tin, smooth the surface and press the reserved nuts into the top. Sprinkle with smoked paprika, if using. Bake for 40 mins until firm and golden. Leave to stand for a few minutes to firm up, then turn out.
step 3
Meanwhile, simmer the passata with 80ml water, the garlic, if using, and harissa and oregano for 5-10 mins until thickened. Spoon over slices of the loaf.