Lean Beef Bolognese Bean Bowl With Garlic Ciabatta

Preheat the oven to 200°C/ 180°C (fan)/ gas 6

Boil a kettle

Peel and finely chop (or grate) your garlic

Peel and finely chop your brown onion[s]

Top, tail and dice your carrot[s] finely

Heat a pot (with a matching lid) over a high heat with a little drizzle of olive oil

Once hot, add your lean beef mince and break it up with a wooden spoon

Add the diced carrot and cook for 3-4 min or until browned

Meanwhile, score your ciabatta[s] in a deep criss-cross pattern, taking care not to cut all the way through

Add the scored ciabatta[s] to a baking paper-lined baking tray

Once the mince is browned, reduce heat to medium and add the diced onion

Cook for 3-4 min further or until softened

Once softened, add half the chopped garlic and half your dried oregano (you'll use the rest later!) and cook for 30 secs or until fragrant

Once fragrant, add your tomato paste and give it a good mix up

Add your cannellini beans (no need to drain!) with all the bean water and 350ml [450ml] [600ml] boiled water

Bring to boil over a high heat, then reduce the heat to medium and cook for 10-12 mins, uncovered or until the meat is cooked through (no pink meat!) – this is your beany stew

Meanwhile, add half a knob of butter to a small heatproof bowl with a drizzle of olive oil, then put the bowl in the microwave and cook for 20-30 secs or until the butter is melted

Once melted, add the remaining dried oregano, remaining garlic and a small pinch of salt, then give it a good mix up – this is your garlic & herb butter

Spoon the garlic & herb butter over the scored ciabatta and put the tray in the oven for 8-10 min or until golden – these are your garlic ciabatta[s]

While your ciabatta[s] are in the oven, peel your Italian hard cheese until you end up with a pile of cheese shavings and grate any remaining Italian hard cheese

Pick the basil leaves from their stems, discard the stems

Once the beany stew is ready, stir through your beef stock mix and soy sauce with any remaining grated Italian hard cheese and a generous grind of pepper

Set aside for 2 min, with the lid on, for the flavours to develop – this is your lean beef bolognese bean stew