WHAT’S COOKING: Beef mince and braised leek bake with parsnip mash topping

In my quest to bring you the most warming of winter dishes, I came up with this one-dish bake that has some of my favourite things in it: not least, braised leeks and parsnip mash. Oh, and cheese.

To celebrate six weeks since my heart surgery – with all pain now banished – I concocted an oven bake of very lean beef mince, topped with a layer of braised leeks, and in turn topped that with parsnip mash. Grated mozzarella went on top, and in the oven it went for 30 minutes.

I’m finding parsnips all over right now, which pleases me. Really plump, proud tubers with the promise of earthy yet sweet flavour. I must find some more so that I can make a parsnip soup.

Parsnips make better mash than potatoes. Honestly. To be entirely truthful, I blend them rather than mash them, and this destroys their fibres, replacing that textural aspect with the creamiest mash imaginable.

Leeks are a lifelong favourite for me, as they were for my Yorkshire mother who spent the World War 2 years in the Land Army in Wales and loved leeks ever after. And they braise so beautifully.

Leeks and parsnips have something in common – they both have such appealing intrinsic flavour that they really don’t need any help. No need for herbs or spices, they have everything your palate needs.

The aromatics went into the beef instead: garlic, fresh oregano, tomatoes, onions, lime juice and Worcestershire sauce.

Tony’s beef mince and braised leek bake with parsnip mash topping

3 Tbsp butter, salt and pepper for stirring in after blending

Peel the parsnips, cut into cubes, and put them in a pot. Cover with water and add a little salt. Put them on a high heat, bring to a boil and cook at a brisk pace until tender, about 15 to 20 minutes. Drain in a colander.

Trim the leeks, rinse thoroughly under running cold water, and slice. Pour a little olive oil into a pot and add the leeks. Cook on a lowish heat, stirring, while they braise and pick up colour. They will caramelise a little, but don’t brown them too much.

Add just enough water to cover and simmer until it mostly cooks away. Reserve while you cook the mince.

Add a little olive oil to a heavy pot and add the sliced onion. Cook on a moderate heat, stirring, for 3 minutes, then add the garlic and oregano sprigs. Simmer, stirring, for 3 or 4 minutes.

Add the beef mince and work it with a wooden spoon to ensure it does not form clumps. Add the tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce and lime juice and season with salt and black pepper.

Simmer, stirring now and then, for about 45 minutes while the flavours develop and the meat tenderises. Just bec