Lamb and spinach wellington recipe

Lamb and spinach wellington

This is a savoury bake that will wow the crowd at your next street party. Classic British wellington is given an Indian-inspired spin with a fragrant lamb filling. A real taste of Britain that's just as good eaten hot or cold.

See method
  • Serves 10
  • 1 hr 30 mins plus cooling and chilling
  • 461 calories / serving

  • Freezable

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 onions, finely diced
  • 1½ tsp ground coriander
  • 1½ tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 3 tbsp tomato purée
  • 2 x 220g bags baby spinach
  • 700g lamb mince
  • 1 tbsp cumin seeds, toasted, plus 1 tsp to decorate
  • 75g fresh breadcrumbs
  • 100g dried apricots, finely chopped
  • 75g pitted green olives
  • 150g reduced-fat salad cheese, crumbled into 2cm chunks
  • 550g pack ready-rolled puff pastry
  • plain flour, for dusting
  • 1 egg, plus 1 yolk, beaten
  • 1 tbsp poppy seeds
  • Tesco Finest tomato and chilli chutney, natural yogurt and mixed salad leaves, to serve (optional)

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Each serving contains

Energy
1930kJ 461.0kcal
23%
Fat
25g
high35%
Saturates
11g
high55%
Salt
1.1g
medium19%
Sugars
8g
low9%

of the Reference intake

Carbohydrate 34.9gProtein 23.7gFibre 4.5g

Method

  1. Heat the oil in a frying pan and add the onions with a pinch of salt. Cook over a medium heat for 10 mins, stirring occasionally, until soft and translucent. Stir in the spices and cook for 1 min, then stir in the tomato purée. Scrape into a large bowl and leave to cool completely. Tip the spinach into the pan and cook, stirring, for 2-3 mins until wilted and reduced. Tip into a sieve and squeeze out as much moisture as you can; chop and set aside.
  2. When the onions are cool, add the lamb mince, toasted cumin seeds, breadcrumbs, apricots, spinach and olives; season. Use your hands to mix everything together well. Add the cheese and mix carefully.
  3. Unroll the pastry onto a lightly floured surface. Shape the mince mixture into a 35cm-long sausage along one of the longer sides of the pastry, leaving a 4cm border at the edge. Brush the remaining exposed pastry with beaten egg. Fold the other half of the pastry over the meat and press the edges. Trim to leave a 3cm border all the way around, then press with a fork. Transfer to a baking tray, brush with egg and chill for 1 hr (or up to 48 hrs).
  4. Preheat the oven to gas 7, 220°C, fan 200°C. Brush the wellington with more beaten egg, score the surface lightly with a sharp knife, then scatter over the poppy seeds and 1 tsp cumin seeds. Bake for 25 mins, then reduce the heat to gas 4, 180°C, fan 160°C and bake for a further 20-25 mins until the pastry base is crisp and deep brown. Remove from the oven and transfer to a wire rack to cool for 20-25 mins. Slice and serve with chutney, yogurt and salad, if you like. Can be assembled 48 hrs ahead and kept chilled. Continue from step 4 to bake. Or make and bake the day before and enjoy cold.
  • Cook's tip: Don’t skimp on the breadcrumbs. Lamb mince can release a lot of juices and the breadcrumbs are important to avoid a soggy bottom!
  • Freezing and defrosting guidelines

    In order to enjoy optimum flavour and quality, frozen items are best used within 3 months of their freezing date. For more tips on freezing and defrosting food, read our article Love Your Freezer.

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