This is very easy and cheap. You can either use the leftover half of your Sunday gammon joint or buy a small joint (750g about £3 in Tesco) and use that. To feed four greedy people you need:

  • Gammon/ham joint, cooked or uncooked, fat and rind removed.
  • 1 onion
  • 2 parsnips
  • 2 carrots
  • 2 potatoes
  • 200ml white wine or dry cider
  • 400ml water
  • Sprig of thyme
  • 400gm tin of flageolet beans or similar
  • 400gm tin of butter beans
  • Large handful of frozen peas
  • Chopped parsley

Heat a large saucepan or metal casserole on the stove with a tablespoon of oil.  If your ham is uncooked, brown the ham and remove. Chop the root vegetables roughly and add to the pan. Sweat gently for five minutes. Add the cider or wine, water, thyme and beans. Cook for one hour. Add the peas, cook three minutes more. Adjust the seasoning, add chopped parsley and serve!