Ingredients

• Ingredients 1 red onion Olive oil for frying 200g cooked chestnuts 35ml brandy 30g rye bread 10-15 black olives, roughly chopped 2 small cloves garlic 7 sprigs of thyme, leaves picked ¼ tsp cayenne pepper Salt and pepper to season

Preparation

• Preparation Serves 4 as a starter.   Method Thinly slice the red onion and fry in a little olive oil on medium heat until soft and beginning to colour. Set aside to cool. Drain and mash the chestnuts and stir in the brandy. To make the bread crumbs you can grate the bread or wizz it in the food processor. Alternatively, if the bread is not too moist then just rub between your fingers to until it breaks down into a fine crumb. Mash the breadcrumbs in with the chestnut mix and stir through the chopped olives. Finely chop the garlic and add to the chestnut mix along with the thyme leaves, cayenne pepper and cooked red onion. Season to taste. Perfect served alongside toasted rye bread or oatcakes and accompanied by a glass of brandy or port.