Fantasy Veggie Dinners - JOHN WAYNE

I did think that, after starting this series with James Dean, I should make the second entry slightly more obscure. But… having watched Rio Bravo this afternoon my ‘cult’ heroes and heroines will just have to wait in line while I entertain John Wayne at the Fantasy Veggie Table. Although rough, ready and certainly extreme, I am offering him his place on the strength of the aforementioned performance; for portraying The Ringo Kid in Stagecoach; for being in my all-time-favourite Western (She Wore a Yellow Ribbon) and, more than anything, for this spectacular quote:
“Courage is being scared to death - but saddling up anyway.”

Therefore, in keeping with the obvious but good and honest tradition he embraces and personifies, I will be serving my Vegetarian Cowboy Pie.

COWBOY PIE

6 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into two-bit-size pieces
6 vegetarian sausages (defrosted if frozen) and cut into thirds diagonally
1 onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, peeled and crushed
1 large tin beans (any will do but Baked Beans are homely and easy)
2tsp chilli powder
Salt and black pepper
50g/ 1¾oz Cheese, grated
1 tbsp Olive oil
25g/ 1oz butter
25ml/ 1fl oz milk

Preheat oven to 200C/ Gas 6.
Heat the oil in a pan and gently fry the onion and garlic. Add the spices and stir well.
Then add the sausages and continue to fry until they are browned.
Mix in the beans and heat until the whole mixture is almost boiling. Then allow to cool slightly.
Meanwhile, place the potatoes in a pan of hot water and boil for about 10-12 minutes until soft. Then drain and return to the pan. Add the butter and milk and season well. Mash until smooth.
Place sausage mixture in a large bowl and spread the mashed potato over the top.
Bake for about 20 mins.
Sprinkle cheese over the top of the potato, return to the oven and cook for a further 10 minutes.