Roast Parsnips With Chestnut Bubble and Stilton Rarebit

An absolute classic British dish. A wonderful veggie centerpiece for Christmas. Well worth the effort. The rarebit can be made up to a week in advance.

• Ready In: 3 hrs 30 mins
• Serves: 6

Ingredients

• For the rarebit

• 225  g vegetarian Stilton cheese, chopped
• 100  g vegetarian cheddar cheese, grated
• 75  ml milk
• 25  g plain flour
• 25  g  fresh white breadcrumbs
• 1⁄2 tablespoon English mustard powder
• 1⁄2 teaspoon  balsamic vinegar
• 1  medium egg
• 1  medium  egg yolk

• for the bubble

• 450  g Brussels sprouts, trimmed and sliced
• 2  small onions, sliced thinly
• 50  g butter
• 150  g chestnuts, cooked peeled and chopped
• 450  g mashed potatoes (made without butter or milk)

• For the parsnips

• 25  g butter
• 9  medium parsnips, peeled and quartered cores removed
• 3  tablespoons cranberry jelly

• For the sauce

• 150  ml  strong  vegetable stock
• 1⁄2 teaspoon lemon juice
• 60  g unsalted butter
• 1  teaspoon  chooped fresh parsley
• 1  teaspoon  chopped fresh thyme
• 1  teaspoon  chopped fresh sage

Directions

1. For the rarebit:
2. Put cheeses and milk in pan, heat gently until cheese has melted.
3. When gently bubbling add flour, breadcrumbs and mustard. Cook for a few minutes stirring until the mixture comes away from the sides of the pan. Add vinegar and leave to cool.
4. When cold place in a processor and while machine is running slowly add the egg and the yolk. When incorporated place in a plastic bag and chill minimum 2 hours maximum 1 week.
5. For the bubble:
6. Blanch the sprouts in boiling water for 1 minute. Drain and run under cold water.
7. Line a roasting tin with a double layer of kitchen paper. Lay out the sprouts and cover with another double layer of paper. Weigh down to dry the sprouts.
8. Fry the onions in half the butter for 5 minutes and cool.
9. Add the sprouts and chestnuts to the onion and add the mash a little at a time mixing well until all the mash is incorporated.
10. Liberally grease a 8 inch loose bottom cake tin and place the ring section upside down in an frying pan and pack in the mash mix. Gently fry the mix in the ring until it has a golden crust, remove from heat.
11. For the parsnips:
12. Heat the oven to 230°C.
13. Heat the butter in a roasting pan on the hob and cook the parsnips for 10 minutes Transfer to oven and roast for 30 minutes.
14. The parsnips should be crisp and deep brown almost overcooked. While hot coat with the cranberry jelly.
15. Pack the parsnips on top of the mash mix in concentric circles. Pack tightly.
16. If needed the cake can now be kept covered and chilled for several hours.
17. For the sauce:
18. Place the stock, juice and 50g of the butter and bring to a simmer while whisking. If sauce is too thin add more butter. Add herbs just before serving.
19. To serve:
20. Heat the oven to 200°C.
21. Take two thirds of the rarebit mix and roll out between two pieces of cling film. Make a disc big enough to top the cake.
22. The remaining rarebit mix can be melted onto bread, pasta or potatoes.
23. Lace the rarebit on the cake and bake for 30 minutes until heated through and the top is golden brown. Remove and serve in wedges with the sauce.