If you’re camping this summer and want to christen your brand-new Kotlich stove with a hearty stew, look no further than this delicious Campfire Beef and Beans recipe. You could easily use lamb or sausages instead, depending on your proximity to the shops.
Campfire beef & beans
Serves 8–10
1 tsp ghee or butter
1kg good-quality minced beef
8 bacon rashers, diced
2 large onions, diced
2 garlic cloves, diced
2 tsp fresh thyme or 1 tsp dried thyme
½ tsp hot smoked paprika (optional)
4 tbsp black treacle or brown sugar
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp tomato puree
Salt and black pepper
2 tbsp wholegrain mustard
8 large tomatoes, roughly diced
4 medium carrots, diced
400ml water
A large handful of fresh parsley
1 tin Haricot beans or two handfuls of dried Haricot beans that you have soaked and cooked yourself
1 Brown the beef in ghee or butter, then set aside. Put the bacon into the kotlich and cook until crispy.
2 Add the onions and stir for 8–10 mins until softened. Add the garlic and thyme and stir for a minute, adding the hot smoked paprika if you choose.
3 Add the treacle, vinegar, tomato puree, two pinches of salt, some black pepper and the mustard and fry for a minute, stirring well.
4 Finally add the fresh tomatoes, carrots, the browned beef, parsley, cooked beans and water. Simmer for 2 hours, stirring occasionally. Do keep an eye on it and add water as needed.
5 Serve piping hot with a hunk of crusty bread to mop up the plate.
Recipe taken from The Kotlich Cook.