Method
We do like a dumpling and these sweetcorn ones are just right with our veggie chilli. There are lots of great flavours here and this is a good filling feast for hungry hordes.
Heat the oil in a large flameproof casserole dish with a lid and add the onion, peppers, celery and chillies. Cook over a medium heat until the vegetables have started to soften, then stir in the garlic, bay leaves, cumin and red lentils. Season generously with salt and pepper, then pour in the vegetable stock.
Bring to the boil and leave for 5 minutes, then turn down the heat and continue to simmer until the red lentils have softened. Add the coconut milk, spring greens and beans and cook until the spring greens are tender and the lentils have collapsed and thickened the sauce. Taste for seasoning and add the lime juice.
To make the dumplings, put the flour into a bowl with a pinch of salt. Rub in the butter until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs, then mix in the cornmeal, sweetcorn, buttermilk and egg.
Bring everything together into a firm dough, then divide into 12 pieces. Roll them into balls.
Arrange the dumplings over the chilli and cover. Cook over a medium heat for about 25 minutes until the dumplings are well risen and glossy. Serve the chilli with grated cheese and plenty of chopped coriander.
The Hairy Bikers’ One Pot Wonders by Si King and Dave Myers is published by Seven Dials in hardback at £22, photography by Andrew Hayes-Watkins
For more yummy recipe ideas from Si and Dave visit the Hairy Bikers and Hairy Dieters recipe hub