An extra hour in the day? Yes please!!

Hello again my friend!

It's time again for the clocks to change*, giving us an extra hour to do something fun - like enjoy a new book! Read on for my book giveaway, and be in with a chance to win a copy of Cholent: The Most Jewish Food on Earth.

Shabbat recipe of the week - vegan humous basar

A plate of homemade humous topped with spiced mushrooms, together with a pita on a plate, a dish of lemon wedges, and three tomatoes, all seen from above.

Humous basar is a delicious Israeli dish of creamy humous topped with a spiced beef mixture. In this vegan version I've swapped out the meat for hearty, savoury mushrooms, cooked down and richly flavoured with garlic and spices. It's a fantastic Shabbat starter served with pita or challah for scooping. Or add some salad, olives and pickles and you've got a lovely mid-week dinner that's packed with taste and nutrition.

Get all the details and the recipe here...

Win a book! Cholent: The Most Jewish Food on Earth

Put your extra hour to work by reading something fun and enlightening! I've been thoroughly enjoying Joel Haber's book Cholent: The Most Jewish Food On Earth. This fascinating study traces the history of the Shabbat stew from its origins in the ancient Middle East, and its subsequent movement around the world. As Jews moved to escape persecution or seek new opportunities, they inevitably encountered new ingredients. These regional flavours and add-ins (what Joel calls 'bonus foods') developed to exploit locally available foods, while the underlying essence of the stew remained unchanged.

The book also includes numerous recipes for Shabbat stews from around the world. As we move towards the colder months, I'm excited to try some of them out as warming and reviving hot lunches for chilly winter Shabbats.

I'm delighted to have partnered with Green Bean Books to offer a copy of Joel's book to one lucky reader! Simply click here to enter the giveaway.

You might also like to try my easy vegan cholent with a British twist - which gets an honorary mention in Joel's book!

It's about time

I often share recipes that are quick and easy, for days when you're short of time and need to get something on the table pronto. This week I'm doing the exact opposite! Inspired by slow-cooked stews, and the changing clocks, below you'll find some favourite recipes that take at least an hour to cook - although usually most of that is passive time. Which means that while your food is resting, rising, roasting or whatever, you can relax while it does its thing. Or knock some other job off your to-do list, if you'd rather.

Many of these recipes also have the advantage of filling your home with inviting aromas while they cook, which is somehow even more cosy and comforting on a long, dark, Autumn evening.

Close up image of a spoonful of miso mushroom barley soup. The bowl of soup is in the background, in soft focus.

Slow food recipes for cosy Autumn meals

Below are some of my favourite recipes that can't be rushed. Enjoy!

Cheesy loaded breakfast focaccia (1hr50)
A square of this delicious homemade bread, topped with caramelised onions, herbs, olives, and cheeses, will certainly set you up for the day! (No need to get up extra early, you can make it in advance.)
Thick onion soup with grains and melty cheese (1hr50)
A real meal-in-a-bowl, this rich onion soup is thickened with nutritious grains, and topped with a luscious layer of golden grilled cheese.
Miso mushroom barley soup (1h55)
This updated classic is a thick, creamy soup with incredible depth of flavour. Slow cooked onions, mushrooms, barley and red miso make this a filling and nutritious favourite.
Moroccan style stuffed aubergines (1h35)
Bursting with richly flavoured onions and mushrooms, protein-rich tofu, and a warming blend of traditional North African spices, these stuffed aubergines make a beautiful vegan main dish.
Mushroom, spinach and barley bake (1hr30)
A hearty and warming vegetarian barley bake, packed with tasty spinach and mushrooms. The tomato and cheese topping makes it extra special.
One pot vegetable stew with hawaij (1h15)
This delicious one-pot dinner practically makes itself! Simply pop everything in the pot and let it cook in the oven while you put your feet up.
Gigantes plaki - Greek baked butter beans (1hr20)
You can forget about these in the oven for longer than the recipe calls for (within reason) and they'll just get better and better! One of my favourite things to eat, so delicious and good for you too!
Easy sideways potato gratin (1h30)
Crispy on top, soft and soothing underneath, each slice of potato in this beautiful gratin is cooked to delicious perfection!
Vegan carrot cake with orange frosting (1h5)
Carrot cake always screams Autumn to me, and this moist, fruity, lightly-spiced vegan version is my favourite! It's easy to whip up in a food processor or by hand and the light orange drizzle is just enough.

Looking for something else? Use the search box and drop down menus at the top of family-friends-food.com to help find whatever you're after.

A slice of vegan carrot cake on a plate with a fork.

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Shabbat Shalom

If you have kids or grandkids in school, you're probably preparing for the half term break. Enjoy this Shabbat as a chance to replenish your energy before the week ahead!

Wishing you and yours a Good Shabbos - Shabbat Shalom! May we all be blessed with joy, health, peace, and many good things.

With love, Helen x.

*Here in the UK, the clocks go back one hour at 2am on Sunday morning.

More delicious recipes and ideas this way...!