Wednesday 16 April 2008

Day fifteen-Monster Faggots-Worcestershire


The Crown Inn Withybed Lane, Alvechurch, sells serious food. Food to weight you down and stop you from leaving, food that means that after one meal you don't have to eat for a week. This is 'nothing fancy food' and it's solid. We had homemade faggots the size of a wrestlers fist, chips and mushy peas. The faggots were well cooked, full of sage and seasoned to perfection. They seem to be very popular around here and many of the men in this 'locals' pub said they ate them more than once a week.


Recipe for Worcestershire faggots.

Feeds six very hungry people.

Time to cook Approximately 1 hour 40 minutes - 2 hours Oven temperature 180°C, Gas mark 4,


Ingredients:


450g (1lb) lean minced beef

100g (4oz) lamb’s liver, finely chopped

100g (4oz) streaky bacon, finely chopped

1 small onion, finely chopped

2 garlic cloves, crushed

1tbsp freshly chopped parsley

2tbsp freshly chopped sage

2tsp fresh thyme leaves

50g (2oz) breadcrumbs

2tsp English mustard

Salt and pepper


Onion Gravy:

1tbsp sunflower oil

2 large onions, finely chopped

1tbsp plain flour

300ml (1/2pint) ale

1pint good, hot beef stock

Dash Worcestershire sauce

2tsp dried mixed herbs


Make Prepare the onion gravy; heat the oil in a large saucepan. Add the onions and cook over a moderate heat for 4-5 minutes. Add the flour and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Gradually stir in the ale, stock, Worcestershire or brown sauce, seasoning and dried mixed herbs. Reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Make the faggots; in a large bowl mix together the faggot ingredients and shape into 12 golf ball-sized balls. Transfer to a 2pint rectangular ovenproof dish or roasting tin and carefully pour over the gravy. Cover with foil and cook in a preheated oven for 1 1/2-2 hours. 15 minutes before the end of the cooking time, remove the foil and return to the oven. Guaranteed to put meat on your bones and hairs on your chest.

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