Beef, black-eyed bean and plantain hotpot recipe
 A West African take on a classic hotpot, combine fiery Scotch bonnet with comforting beans and sweet plantain. This dish makes a little beef go further. 350g/12oz dried black-eyed beans900g/2lb sirloin steak, cut into 1cm/½ in cubes325ml/11½fl oz vegetable oil1 large onion, chopped4 garlic cloves, finely chopped4cm/2in piece fresh root ginger, grated1 tsp dried chilli flakes2 x 400g tins chopped tomatoes2 tbsp tomato purée2 beef stock cubes2 sprigs fresh thyme1 Scotch bonnet chilli, chopped3 ripe plantain, peeled and slicedsalt and freshly ground black pepper 350g/12oz dried black-eyed beans 900g/2lb sirloin steak, cut into 1cm/½ in cubes 325ml/11½fl oz vegetable oil 1 large onion, chopped 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped 4cm/2in piece fresh root ginger, grated 1 tsp dried chilli flakes 2 x 400g tins chopped tomatoes 2 tbsp tomato purée 2 beef stock cubes 2 sprigs fresh thyme 1 Scotch bonnet chilli, chopped 3 ripe plantain, peeled and sliced salt and freshly ground black pepper Method Cook the dried beans in a large pan of boiling water for about 20 minutes until softened. Drain and set aside.Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large casserole dish and brown the beef on all sides over a medium heat. Remove and set aside.Heat 100ml/3½fl oz oil in the same pan and fry the onions for 2–3 minutes, until slightly softened. Add the garlic, ginger and dried chilli flakes and stir. Add the tinned tomatoes, tomato purée, stock cubes, thyme and Scotch bonnet chillies and season with salt and pepper. Cook the tomatoes for 10 minutes before adding the beef and beans and cooking on low for 45–60 minutes, stirring occasionally.While the stew cooks, heat the remaining oil in a deep frying pan and shallow fry the plantain slices in batches for 2–3 on each side until golden-brown. Transfer to a plate lined with kitchen paper to drain. Top the stew with the plantains before serving. Cook the dried beans in a large pan of boiling water for about 20 minutes until softened. Drain and set aside. Cook the dried beans in a large pan of boiling water for about 20 minutes until softened. Drain and set aside. Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large casserole dish and brown the beef on all sides over a medium heat. Remove and set aside. Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large casserole dish and brown the beef on all sides over a medium heat. Remove and set aside. Heat 100ml/3½fl oz oil in the same pan and fry the onions for 2–3 minutes, until slightly softened. Heat 100ml/3½fl oz oil in the same pan and fry the onions for 2–3 minutes, until slightly softened. Add the garlic, ginger and dried chilli flakes and stir. Add the tinned tomatoes, tomato purée, stock cubes, thyme and Scotch bonnet chillies and season with salt and pepper. Cook the tomatoes for 10 minutes before adding the beef and beans and cooking on low for 45–60 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the garlic, ginger and dried chilli flakes and stir. Add the tinned tomatoes, tomato purée, stock cubes, thyme and Scotch bonnet chillies and season with salt and pepper. Cook the tomatoes for 10 minutes before adding the beef and beans and cooking on low for 45–60 minutes, stirring occasionally. While the stew cooks, heat the remaining oil in a deep frying pan and shallow fry the plantain slices in batches for 2–3 on each side until golden-brown. Transfer to a plate lined with kitchen paper to drain. Top the stew with the plantains before serving. While the stew cooks, heat the remaining oil in a deep frying pan and shallow fry the plantain slices in batches for 2–3 on each side until golden-brown. Transfer to a plate lined with kitchen paper to drain. Top the stew with the plantains before serving.