The UK’s level of self-sufficiency is in long-term decline. We now produce just over half of the food we consume. Of the shortfall, nearly three quarters is currently made up of food imported into the UK from the European Union (EU).
Climate change related uncertainties – highlighted by scorching temperatures and insufficient rainfall over this year’s long hot summer – are an additional food security concern. Some UK crops were badly affected by the high temperatures and reduced rainfall over our extended summer. In addition, severely reduced grass growth means livestock farmers have been forced to use up winter fodder supplies.
Toss Brexit (and especially a “no deal” Brexit) into the mix, and there are reasons for us to be very seriously concerned about our future food security. The UK government, which has shown little sign of negotiating competence over Brexit thus far, will need to negotiate new agreements to maintain current food levels, as well as to secure a ready supply of seasonal agricultural labour.
Any problems importing food to plug the huge gap between what we produce and what we consume will compromise food security and increase the price of our food. No wonder, then, that there are reports of the UK government stockpiling food, as well as medicines, as Brexit draws nearer.
Setting aside the rights and wrongs of Brexit (not least the question of how many “leave” voters actually understood they were voting for the mess we now face), the real long-term challenge for the UK must be to address the imbalance between what we consume and what we produce.
To achieve that, we will need to become more self-reliant. There are two ways to achieve that: firstly, to grow more of our own food and, secondly, to reduce overall demand for food by encouraging different patterns of consumption.
Reducing meat consumption, a major net import, would make a big difference, as would encouraging the UK population to eat more locally produced, seasonal produce. These simple goals would not only help improve our overall food security and help address the UK’s growing balance of payments deficit, they would also encourage us all to eat more wisely and healthily.
Cassoulet is a classic rustic dish from the Languedoc region of southern France. Traditionally, haricot beans are used, but I’ve used some of my home-grown fresh borlotti beans (known as cranberry beans in the USA) instead, and in fact any other fresh bean would be fine. You could also use dried beans or canned beans instead. If you are using dried beans, soak them in cold water overnight then simmer for an hour before using. For canned beans, reduce the cooking time in the oven to one hour.
The slow cooking process gives a wonderfully rich, deep flavour to this lovely vegan dish. Serve with some good quality crusty bread.
If you would prefer not to cook with wine, simple use the same quantity of additional vegetable stock. I have cooked it both with and without wine, and it is delicious either way.
borlotti bean cassoulet
Ingredients
600 g fresh borlotti beans (weight after removal from pods)
2 onions, diced
2 carrots, peeled and diced
2 sticks celery, diced
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
3 sprigs fresh thyme
2 bay leaves
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp sea salt
200 ml white wine
500 ml vegetable stock
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Method
1. Pre-heat the oven to 150°C (300°F, gas mark 2).
2. Pour the olive oil into a large, oven-proof casserole dish which has a lid and place over a medium heat. Add the onions, carrots and celery and cook, stirring, for 10 minutes or until all the vegetables are tender. Add the garlic and cook for a further 2 minutes, continuing to stir. Next, stir in the beans, sea salt, smoked paprika before adding the wine. Stir to combine, then add the stock, thyme and bay leaves.
3. Turn up the heat and bring the contents of the casserole dish to a simmer. Place the lid on top and then transfer the dish to the oven. Cook for two hours, by which time much of the liquid will have been absorbed, and the beans will be tender and beautifully flavoured. Serve hot.
Categories: dairy free, gluten free, vegan, vegetarian
Tags: Brexit, European Union, food security
This sounds yummy. I’ll have to try it. Our household is vegetarian and often vegan, and we can get by on wonderful stews of lentils and barley and beans etc. and it can be very tasty and affordable too. We also have an animal rescue place near us–two actually–Catskill Animal Sanctuary and the Woodstock Animal Sanctuary–and it’s so nice to visit the rescued animals who can now live safely and not be eaten by anyone other than the local bugs. Since I so seldom use wine and seldom drink it, maybe I should make some ice cubes of a bottle-full for cooking purposes and see if that helps it last longer–
Thank you! I made this last week without the wine and it was delicious, accompanies by vegetarian sausages and roast potatoes.
Right now I am making a stew of barley, lentils, some vegetarian sausage, and we’ll see what else winds up in it–maybe spinach and tiny new potatoes. Enjoy!
Looking at the scene from faraway colonies methinks many did not understand the ramifications of Brexit, only hated the perceived immigration saga . . . here still read that there should be a last-minute turn-around. . . possible ? The food issue, after all, is but one of the adversities if the change . . . Love the recipe tho’, not being a vegetarian, may just have a few add-ons 🙂 !
Thank you Eha. You are right – the issue of immigration did play a huge role in the Brexit referendum campaign. Our current government has a precarious grip on power, being propped up by the votes of the DUP, a small right-wing party from Northern Ireland. Both of the UK’s main political parties have internal divisions over Brexit and, frankly, anything could happen between now and next March. If there is a second referendum, at least it will be harder for populist politicians to get away with the same sorts of lies as last time.
Please feel free to adapt the recipe as you wish. Although I am a vegetarian, I am sure your add-ons will work well! Steve x
Your cassoulet recipe is very apposite Steve seeing as we have only just departed Languedoc-Roussillon after spending the last week there. I remember my first encounter with cassoulet was 32 years ago near Carcassonne but having just turned vegetarian resisted the temptation to try it. I seem to remember it having a lot of sausage in it. Your recipe will certainly make up for that and I’m looking forward to rustling it up. I hope you’re doing well now. Cheers Malcolm
Hi Malcolm. I hope you enjoy this one. Yes, I am much better now following my accident, thank you, and have started cycling again, thanks in large part to some expert physiotherapy advice! Steve
Yummy 😋
whats the equivalent weight of beans if using tinned variety
love the website keep going !
Hi Pete. I appreciate the kind comments, thank you. Two 400 g cans of cooked beans should be about right. Steve
What’s the equivalent weight of dried beans? We’ve loads from the allotment but they’re all dried at this time of the year.
Hi Christine. From a little internet research I would suggest using 400 g of your dried beans would produce an equivalent volume. Steve
Thanks Steve. I’ve got them soaking now. Looking forward to trying this.
Hi Steve, this worked perfectly. I reduced the liquid (stock and wine) because there was still a fair amount of the cooking liquid from the dried beans, but it was still delicious, and even better the next day as the flavours developed. I’m doing this again!