Peppadews in this case, small peppers the size of the bigger cherry tomatoes, piquante, preserved in vinegar and with a slight but tangible zing. Bought on a whim by the hubster, and sitting unopened and undiscovered for the last few months. Until this week. Have you ever tried them? I hadn't even heard of them, I must be honest! But now I urge you to pick some up, as a just in case, a lovely store cupboard ingredient that I'm sure I will come to use often.
I used them this week, in place of the usual bell peppers, which I had forgotten to buy in. We were having Campfire Stew, made in the slow cooker, and it wasn't until I was about to prepare it that I discovered the lack of peppers in the veg drawer. Not good at 630am! But I remembered the peppadews, and so in they went!
The recipe for Campfire Stew is a simple one, and easily tweakable, as I discovered. There is a Slimming World version, this is not it, but I'm sure those amongst you in the know may be able to work out where this version stands in the diet stakes. I just know it tasted delicious, and the empty plates at the tea table were proof enough that the tweaking worked well.
I cooked this in my slow cooker, on low for about 9 hours. I haven't found a similar recipe for oven cooking, so I'm not sure how long or on what temperature, though I'm sure it can be done. But if you have access to a slow cooker, this is certainly the cooking method oof choice!
Campfire Stew. Serves 4, generously.
1 pork or gammon joint, smoked or unsmoked.
1 tin of baked beans
1 tin/carton of chopped tomatoes
1 large carrot, sliced
1 large onion, chopped
A generous handful chopped mushrooms
1 large red pepper (or 6-7 pepperdews,)
1 teaspoon chili powder (I omitted this as I had used pepperdews which have a spicy flavour)
2 tablespoons paprika
1 tin of baked beans
1 tin/carton of chopped tomatoes
1 large carrot, sliced
1 large onion, chopped
A generous handful chopped mushrooms
1 large red pepper (or 6-7 pepperdews,)
1 teaspoon chili powder (I omitted this as I had used pepperdews which have a spicy flavour)
2 tablespoons paprika
Put all ingredients in the slow cooker ensuring they are mixed well. Leave on low for 6 hours plus, as long as you can really, which will give better results. And no peeking under that lid!
Just before serving, remove the gammon/pork joint and break it apart, as you would for pulled pork. Stir the pulled pork/gammon back into the sauce. Serve. We served it with mash. Or you could add potatoes to the stew.
Just before serving, remove the gammon/pork joint and break it apart, as you would for pulled pork. Stir the pulled pork/gammon back into the sauce. Serve. We served it with mash. Or you could add potatoes to the stew.
Definitely a new family favourite, and a new favourite store cupboard ingredient. I might use it in pasta sauce next time!
