maybe the ultimate healthy hotpot – easy to make, packed with muscle mending proteins and warming, hearty flavours.

for 2 x very hungry cyclists you need –

• 1 x yellow pepper – chopped into bite sized chunks
• 1 x red pepper – chopped into bite sized chunks
• 6 x vegan sausages (frozen)
• 1 x red onion – peeled and finely diced
• 2 x cloves of garlic – crushed and diced
• 1 x teaspoon of smoked paprika
• 6 x sprigs of fresh thyme
• 2 x sprigs of fresh rosemary
• 2 x 400 g tins of chopped tomatoes
• 2 x tablespoon of olive oil
• 1 x 400 g tin of cannellini beans – drained and rinsed
• 1/2 teaspoon of chilli flakes
• 1 x teaspoon of balsamic vinegar
• 2 x tablespoons of tomato puree
• 225ml red wine (optional)
• 125 ml vegetable stock
• 1/2 teaspoon of marmite/vegemite
• 1 x teaspoon worcestershire sauce (optional)
• 100 g of fresh chopped kale – stalks removed
• salt and pepper to taste (optional)
• pitta breads (optional)

to make –

• pre heat oven to 180o c
• line a large baking tray with grease proof paper
• core both peppers and chop into bite sized chunks – put them in a mixing bowl
• add smoked paprika, a tablespoon of olive oil + salt (optional) and pepper to the bowl and mix
• tip the coated peppers onto the lined baking tray
• add the vegan sausages to the baking tray
• put baking tray in hot oven for 20 / 25 minutes
• heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large stock pot or sauce pan over a medium heat
• add diced red onion and an optional pinch of salt – cook and stir for 2 x minutes
• add garlic, chilli flakes, rosemary and thyme and cook for 1 x minute
• add tomato puree and balsamic vinegar – stir for 1 x minute
• add red wine (optional) – simmer mix for 3 x minutes
• add cannelloni beans, chopped tomatoes, stock, marmite and worcestershire  sauce (optional)
• simmer mix for 10 x minutes – stirring to prevent sticking on bottom of pan
• remove peppers and sausages from oven – checked they are cooked through
• chop sausages into bite sized chunks before adding them and roasted peppers to the saucepan
• allow the hot pot to simmer for 5 x more minutes
• add chopped kale to the mix
• simmer for a 3 x minutes – removing thyme and rosemary stalks
• then dish up with a warm pitta bread each (optional)

this recipe makes plenty of comforting and nourishing hot pot that will revive tired muscles and set you up for a big day in the saddle tomorrow.  it will fill a couple of hungry cyclists up – with a bit left over for lunch / post ride snack next day.