Purple sprouting broccoli with anchovy & hazelnut pesto

Method

• step 1

  Wash the artichokes thoroughly and remove any small, tufty bits. You don’t need to peel them – just halve them lengthways if they’re small, or cut into 2.5cm chunks if you’re using larger artichokes. If you are not going to cook them immediately, put them in a bowl of water mixed with lemon juice to stop their flesh discolouring. If you’re using leeks, trim them and cut into fat chunks.

• step 2

  Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/ gas 5. Drain the artichokes, pat them dry and put them (or the leeks) in a roasting tin large enough to hold them in a single layer. Season and add the olive oil. Toss everything together and cook for 30-45 mins until the veg is completely tender.

• step 3

  Meanwhile, make the pesto. Put the anchovies, garlic and hazelnuts in a food processor with some freshly ground black pepper. Blend while adding the olive oil. Taste, then add the lemon juice, tasting as you go. If it seems too thick, add a drop of water (you should be able to drizzle the mixture). Stir in the parsley.

• step 4

  Trim the base of the chicory and separate the leaves; separate the radicchio leaves too, and tear them into pieces. Steam the broccoli until it is just tender (insert the tip of a knife to test for doneness). Pat dry with a tea towel (there’s moisture on the surface after steaming, which makes it diffcult for the dressing to cling to it). Season the broccoli.

• step 5

  Toss the artichokes or leeks gently with the purple sprouting broccoli, the leaves (including the watercress), 2 tsp lemon juice, the balsamic, olive oil and a little more seasoning. Tip onto a serving platter, spoon over some of the pesto and scatter on the hazelnuts. Serve the remaining pesto in a bowl.