I have to give credit for this dish to Cornucopia! I’ve had it a million times and it’s definitely a firm favourite! This is my take on it and Yes you read it correctly monster mash, just like the song! I know it sounds like something that would be more suited to Halloween but hear me out before you judge!
Sooooo I called it Monster Mash 😈 for two reasons. Number one this animal of a dish is topped off with a basil mash slightly resembling the hulk (believe it or not an absolute winner with kids! Especially if you tell them it’s hulk mash!) but the second and more important reason is that it has so much wholesome veg packed into it that its actually ridiculous! This one dish could easily give you a healthy helping of your 5 a day in one sitting! And so monster mash seemed only appropriate but hey, don’t take my word for it, try it yourself, I promise it will be a winner every time!
So for the good stuff, how healthy is this pie? Well, let me put it this way. You only have to look at the ingredients to see how much nourishment is packed into this pie! If I were to list all of the health benefits this post would go on forever! So let me put it plainly. If you eat this you will feel full, nourished, healthy and happy. Your body will love you forever and you’ll feel pretty damn awesome because amongst all of the health benefits it tastes UNREAL!!! GETT INNNNNNN!!!!
INGREDIENTS
2 Carrots
1 Courgette
2 Stalks Celery
1 Fennel Bulb
1 Lemon
1 Bunch Basil
3 Peppers
2 Tins Tomatoes
1 Tin Butterbeans
2 Onions
3 Cloves Garlic
½ Butternut Squash
2 Tbsps. Tomato Puree
1 Tsp. Maple Syrup
½ Small Bag Potatoes
1 Small Bunch Kale
3 Stalks Rosemary
½ Cup Olive Oil
1 Cup Milk (I use almond milk but you use whatever you like!)
Salt & Pepper
First rule of fight club………… Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius or 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Chop the peppers, courgette, fennel and butternut squash into rough chunks and then pop on to a parchment lined baking tray. Drizzle with olive oil and a light fairy dusting of salt. Then whack it into the oven on the top shelf for about 20 mins.
Whilst waiting for our lovely friends in the oven, lets make a start on the sauce. Roughly chop the carrot, onion, garlic and celery and throw them into a pot. Pull the rosemary from the stalks and pop that in the pot also, drizzle with olive oil and then whack it on the heat!
After approx 5 minutes, add the tinned tomatoes and tomato puree, season with a little salt and pepper and the 1 tsp. of maple syrup, pop a lid on it and leave to simmer for 10 minutes.
Before you do anything else, give your veg a little toss in the oven to make sure they’re not burning, you want them to be roasted, not cremated!
Now for the mash! He did the mash! He did the monster mash!! Ha ha ha god I love that song! Anyway……. moving on……….. ah seriously though you have to give it a listen! (just click the text above!) …. Ok back to the recipe, promise! 🙊
For the mash, peel the potatoes and pop them into a pot of boiling water for approx 10-15 minutes until fully cooked (until you can put a knife through them very easily!). While waiting for the spuds to cook, remove veg from oven and set them aside. I’m gonna have to keep an eye on you aren’t i?! I bet you forgot to take them out! Such a Messer!!! 😛
Next, pop the lemon juice, basil (stalks and all!) ½ cup of olive oil and some salt and pepper into a blender and blend until smooth! I used my nutri bullet but hey I’m just cool like that ya know! No actually I’m just lazy, you got me! 😏
So once you have your lovely green concoction, pour over your cooked and strained potatoes along with your milk of choice and then mash with a little rage until beautifully green and creamy!
For the grand finale! Blend the tomato sauce until smooth and thick. I use a hand blender but whatevs! Then throw all of the veg, including the uncooked kale and tinned beans into the tomato sauce and mix.
Once mixed, pour this monster mixture into an oven proof dish and then top with the hulk mash. Design it in whatever fashion you like and then pop it into the oven for 40 minutes until golden and gorgeous! And there you have it! A Monster Mash Pie!! You animal you!!! I really hope you love this as much as I do! Also if you have any leftover it freezes unbelievably well! Talk to ya laters! xxxx
SWEFF-THE-CHEF 