Merry Christmas stew

Ingredients

• 1 good sized cauliflower
• 12 broccoli florets
• 1 large sweet potato
• 1 medium butternut squash
• Approximately 12 Brussels sprouts
• 2 parsnips
• 2 small turnips
• 2 potatoes
• 1 cup red lentils
• 1 onion
• 4 cloves garlic
• 3 bay leaves
• Vegetable stock, as required

Method

1. Prepare the vegetables and cut them into pieces sized so that the firmer vegetables are smaller than the quicker-cooking ones.
2. Put the vegetables, onion, garlic, bay leaves and lentils into a large saucepan. Add enough vegetable stock to cover.
3. Bring to a gentle simmer, cover loosely and cook over a low heat for 1¼–1½ hours, until the lentils and vegetables are tender.
4. Remove the bay leaves, allow the stew to stand briefly and serve hot.