Ingredients for - Vegetable stew with herby dumplings

1. 1 tbsp olive oil
2. 350g shallot, peeled
3. 2 leeks, thickly sliced
4. ½ swede, chopped into chunks
5. 2 parsnips, quartered
6. 350g Chantenay carrot
7. 175g pearl barley
8. 225ml white wine
9. 1l vegetable stock
10. 1 bay leaf
11. 3 sprigs thyme
12. small bunch parsley, finely chopped
13. 100g self-raising flour
14. 50g unsalted butter
15. 50g mature cheddar cheese, grated
16. 2 tsp finely chopped fresh rosemary
17. 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves

How to cook deliciously - Vegetable stew with herby dumplings

1 . Stage

Heat oil in a large casserole dish. Add shallots and cook for 5-6 mins until starting to soften and brown. Add leeks for 2 mins, then stir in swede, parsnips and carrots.

2 . Stage

Pour in barley and wine, cook until wine has reduced by half. Add stock, bay, thyme, parsley and seasoning. Cover pan, bring to the boil, then simmer for 45 mins until barley and veg are tender. Stir occasionally to stop it catching.

3 . Stage

Meanwhile, make the dumplings. Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Rub flour and butter together to form breadcrumbs. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Sprinkle over 2 tbsp water, mix to form a soft dough. Divide into six and roll into balls. Dot on top of stew and transfer to oven. Cook, uncovered, for 20-25 mins until dumplings are golden.