Recipe

Top Tip

Add in a handful of chopped jalapeño chillies for an extra kick! for an extra kick!

Nigel Slater’s Lamb Hotpot

Introduction

We’re getting to that time of the year when rustic food comes packed with extra appeal. Perhaps it’s the warmth, perhaps the fullness to see us through the winter months, or maybe we just want to treat ourselves when the weather outside is cold and inhospitable. Whatever it is, this lamb hotpot is simple to put together and a perfect cosy dinner for two on a cold day. Serve with some simple greens and you have something resembling perfection!

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 170°C/350°F/Gas mark 4.

2. Lightly dredge the lamb chops in the fl our. Heat the oil in a shallow ovenproof pan with a lid, then add the lamb chops and cook until browned on both sides. Remove the lamb from the pan and set aside. Add the onions, parsnips and garlic to the same pan and cook for 2-3 minutes. Season well with salt and freshly ground black pepper and add the rosemary.

3. Return the lamb chops to the pan, tuck the potatoes around the chops, season well with salt and freshly ground black pepper and pour in just enough water to cover the pan

Ingredients

(serves 6-8)

• 4 thick lamb neck chops • plain fl our, for dredging • good glug of fruity olive oil • 3 onions, peeled and cut into wedges • 2-3 large parsnips, peeled and cut into sixths • 6 large, juicy garlic cloves, peeled, cut in half • salt and freshly ground black pepper • 6-8 fresh rosemary sprigs • 6-8 small potatoes, cut in half

contents. Cut out a circle of greaseproof paper the same size and shape as the inside of the pan. Place the paper circle over the lamb and vegetables, then cover the pan with the lid.

4. Cook in the preheated oven for an hour or so, until the meat is tender.

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The RSPB shares top birds to spot for annual Big Garden Birdwatch event

Eleanor Bentall (rspb-images.com) This winter, the RSPB are sharing their top tips for identifying the birds that may visit your Nottinghamshire garden as their popular Big Garden Birdwatch is set to return for its 44th year.

Ben Hall (rspb-images.com)

Hundreds of thousands of people across the UK will celebrate their love of nature and unite to watch and count the nation’s garden birds in January for the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch weekend. This year’s event takes place on 27, 28 and 29 January 2023. Members of the public are asked to spend just one hour watching and recording the birds seen from their garden, balcony or window, then send their results to the RSPB. Taking part in the survey helps the RSPB in monitoring how the UK’s garden birds are faring. Close to half a million people join in the Birdwatch every year. 1. House sparrows: The house sparrow is one of Britain's most well-known and best-loved birds. Males and females are easily distinguished as males have a grey head and black bib whilst females are pale brown with a pale stripe behind the eye. House sparrows are noisy and gregarious, often sticking together in small flocks, and they’ll repeatedly congregate in big hedges where they can all hide together. They socialise by taking dust or water baths, as well as “social singing” where they call together in bushes. 2. Blue tits: Streaked with a colourful mix of blue, yellow, white and green plumage, blue tits are one of our most attractive garden visitors. This species feeds on a diet of insects, caterpillars, seeds and nuts. They will happily take all kinds of bird food too, so keep an eye on your bird feeders for this vibrant garden bird. 3. Robins: Singing nearly all through the year, the nation’s favourite bird is often

HERE ARE FIVE BIRD SPECIES TO LOOK OUT FOR IN YOUR NOTTINGHAMSHIRE GARDEN, BALCONY OR LOCAL GREENSPACE:

Robin

Andy Hay (rspb-images.com)