Merchant Gourmet

Based on the classic beauty, Daube de bœuf à la Provençale, but this is entirely plant based and has developed it’s own identity!

If you’ve ever made the traditional version you’ll be amazed by this easy aubergines, lentil, chestnut and almost instant cheese sauce vegetarian recipe

Meaty sausages, earthy mushrooms, sweet chestnuts, delectably chewy batter and glorious gravy

Sweet, soft, salty, crisp and very moreish, this is the ultimate weeknight supper

This is the quickest route I know to the satisfaction of comfort food. The saucy lentils and Parmesan or chestnut puree create the type of texture associated with risotto and the taste associated with Bolognaise sauce, but they do it in 6 minutes rather than 20

These beauties have huge flavour and are huge fun to make. You can also shape and size the sausages to whatever you want to use them for; longer and thinner for hot dogs, tiny ones wrapped in beetroot for Christmas chipolatas, or use them in place of meatballs and that’s just a few suggestions, to start you off

A quick and simple recipe to add a festive feel to your morning. Spread on toast, dollop onto pancakes, or eat from the jar with a spoon! It’s nearly Christmas after all. Keeps for up to 6 months in the fridge.

This is a real show stopper side, perfect served on a platter as part of your Christmas Day meal. You can swap the bacon for pork mince if preferred, or add in some cranberries or apple in place of the apricots. Cut into large wedges and get ready to impress!

This chestnut and mushroom gravy is a fantastic vegan alternative to the traditional Christmas gravy. Flavoured with fresh thyme and paprika, it’s a hearty and delicious accompaniment to roast potatoes, a nut roast and a bowlful of sprouts! For a seamless Christmas Day, make ahead and freeze for one month, or store in the fridge for up to 3 days.

This is a fantastic way to use up leftover turkey on Boxing Day. Either serve as main or alongside a jacket potato and pickles as part of a big family meal.

This pilaf is jam-packed full of flavour. The sweet, caramelised butternut squash pairs so perfectly with the earthiness of the chestnuts and the fluffy fragrant rice brings it all together. Perfect for a midweek dinner.

Chestnut butter is totally vegan and totally delicious whether you are vegan or not. It is delicious spread on toasted baguette or baked sweet potatoes, great to stir into soups, pasta sauces, risottos and glorious in combination with chutney and cheese on crackers

Chestnut stuffing sliders made with Chestnut, sausage meat, hoi-sin, pak choi, lime & ginger – they are a real crowd pleaser!

A fresh, fruity, spicy and deeply satisfying autumnal delight

This is the most politically correct way to mimic a ‘pâté de foie gras’ in the creamiest chestnut spread known to man, without getting any ducks or geese involved!

In summer, Ratatouille encapsulates this philosophy in a brightly coloured carnival of tomatoes, aubergines, courgettes and peppers

A traditional, wintery, showstopper of a chestnut dessert

These chocolate tiffins are the perfect melt in the mouth treat alongside a cuppa. Wrap in baking paper and tie with string for a thoughtful Christmas gift, or share with friends and family on a cosy winter afternoon.

These super indulgent stuffed mushrooms are guaranteed to impress even the biggest of meat-eaters sat at the table.

This quick cheat’s fudge is fool proof – no sugar thermometers needed here! It’s deliciously rich and fudgy, with the perfect crunch from the chopped chestnuts. The perfect post dinner treat.

These can be made ahead of time and frozen – bring out to defrost 30 minutes before serving. If you like the look of this recipe, there any many more available in The Pulses & Grains Cookbook – out now!

These candied chestnuts are quite a commitment, as doing them properly means spreading the work across 4 days. Don’t be put off though – each day requires only 5 minutes, and the end result is absolutely delicious!

A chestnut custard for Christmas, one that will happily serve everyone at your festive table including those on plant-based and dairy free diets

These chestnut chocolate truffles are seriously decadent and yet really easy to make. Roll in cocoa powder, or get creative with your toppings, coating in white chocolate, or rolling in some Merchant Gourmet Whole Chestnut pieces.

This is a dessert for chocolate lovers, sweet lovers and food lovers in general.

The chestnut purée gives this melt-in-the-mouth tart a nice sweet touch whilst the mushrooms provide a deliciously meaty texture.

A deliciously simple dip with a luxuriously smooth texture that a chickpea could only dream of!

What a joyful and simple tart to make, just cut out a circle of ready rolled puff pastry and away you go!

This is a hot little classic crossed with a whole new twist, perfect for wow-ing at Easter!

Sweet potato and chestnut puree – a winning luxuriously vegan take on mash that tastes great and caters for everyone!

A rich seasonal cheesecake combining chestnuts and blackberries with a smooth and lusciously light texture

The dried cranberries add a special touch to my traditional chestnut stuffing and the gravy made with Marsala adds incredible richness and flavour. This recipe by Alex Mackay gives you lots of gravy; turkey tends to soak it up so always make enough for a second or third round.

A wonderfully rich and comforting chestnut flavoured porridge, perfect for a healthy, hearty warming winter breakfast.

This soup is naturally creamy from the cauliflower and chestnut puree gives it a twist. Makes a perfect dairy-free nutritionally balanced plant based meal.

Delicious, rich in protein and fibre, this is a heart warming meal perfect for #veganuary with a decadent truffle twist.

An original take on the humble mince pie recipe, with a variety of beautiful toppings to make them stand out from the crowd

This is a crunchy, chewy, golden and glorious way to start your day. Make sure you’ve always got a jar of this granola handy then alongside yoghurt and fruit you’ve got a beautiful bowlful for your table, or a portable pot to take to work or school. This recipe with the freekeh is new, as I’ve done a great many versions of the granola with all sorts of grains. It looks so pretty layered up with different fruit, you can brighten up the winter with tropical fruit or citrus, celebrate the spring with rhubarb and blaze into summer with berries. The granola can be made at least 2 weeks ahead. Store in an airtight container

This is a glorious bowl of breakfast, the smoked paprika in the grains echo that in the chorizo, the salsa gives it a fresh burst and the egg yolk binds it all brilliantly. This emphasis in this recipe is in the grains and the salsa, so it can stay delicious but become vegetarian by replacing the chorizo with whole sun-dried tomatoes seasoned with smoked paprika and you can even take it one step further for vegans by replacing the egg with whipped chestnut or chickpea puree

These simple butter cookies are a great way to get into the festive spirit. Grab yourself some Christmas cookie cutters and a piping bag and let your creativity shine! Perfect enjoyed alongside a cup of tea or, ice the name of your guests and use as a place setting on Christmas Day.

This is an autumnal feast for those times when only a roast chicken will do, I give the vegetables and chestnuts a little zing with orange zest and a fresh, crisp partner in the baby gem with lemon

A wonderfully vibrant, fresh pea and spinach soup, topped with crispy chestnut croutons. Perfect for a light lunch, or a snazzy starter.

Super rich, indulgent and delicious.

Simply yet seriously tasty, this recipe goes back a few decades as a Merchant Gourmet classic!

This is a really simple recipe to make. The porcini mushrooms give the soup a fantastic flavour.

A beautifully steamed and rich festive dessert which makes a wonderful gluten free alternative to the traditional Christmas pud – but with the same mouth watering look and feel

Chestnuts are just wonderful with duck, whether they are in a stuffing or done like we have here with this bacon and cranberry sauce.

A tasty vegetarian take on meatballs and comfort food bliss!

A delicious, vegetarian , weekend showstopper!

The dried cranberries add a special touch to this chestnut stuffing.

A filling, festive salad with roasted carrots and chestnuts.

A truly festive mincemeat inspired by some of the ingredients from the famous 13 Christmas desserts of Provence

A quick and delicious dish to get all the family eating Brussels Sprouts.

A traditional Italian dessert made with only chestnut flour and water, enriched with juicy dried fruits, dates, crunchy nuts and the sweet notes of orange. Humble but deliciously festive!

This is a crumble inspired by mulled cider at Christmas to eat any time that it’s chilly.

This tart is ideal for any meal, can be served hot, warm or at room temperature, on its own or with a crisp green salad.

The perfect veggie main for your Christmas lunch, full of flavour with an incredible “meaty” texture made with the addition of chestnuts

Powerfully flavoured, packed full of energy and delicately decorated, these chestnut and quinoa protein balls are the perfect healthy snack

A delicious vegetarian and gluten free take on a lasagne using crunchy almonds creamy squash and earthy lentils

This chutney is really easy to make and a great gift for friends and family, sealed in a jar and tied up with ribbon. The spices add a warming, festive feel, making it the perfect chutney to pair with cold meats on Boxing Day. Keeps for up to 3 months sealed in the fridge.

This can be an elegant soup, a rustic one or a mixture of the two.

This dish is seriously elegant and earthy, ideal for a more intimate Christmas.

Try this as a fantastic alternative to your Sunday roast or inspiration for meat free Monday