Peri Peri Rump Steak in Creamy Spiced Ricotta Sauce

Preheat your oven to 220°C/200°C fan/gas mark 7. Remove the steaks from your fridge to allow them to come up to room temperature.

Bring a large saucepan of water with ½ tsp salt to the boil. Chop the potatoes into 2cm chunks (peel first if you prefer).

When boiling, add the potatoes to the water and cook until you can easily slip a knife through, 15-20 mins. 

While the potatoes boil, halve, peel and thinly slice the onion.

Heat a drizzle of oil in a medium saucepan on medium heat. Once hot, add the onion, season with salt and pepper and fry, stirring occasionally, until golden, 10-12 mins.

Meanwhile, trim the green beans, then cut into thirds. Peel and grate the garlic (or use a garlic press).

When the onion has softened, add half the garlic, half the peri peri seasoning and sugar (see pantry for amount) and cook until caramelised, 1-2 mins more.

Stir the ricotta and water for the sauce (see pantry for amount) into the onion. Simmer until piping hot, 2-3 mins. Season well with salt and pepper, then remove from the heat and cover with a lid to keep warm.

Heat a drizzle of oil in a frying pan on medium-high heat.

Once hot, add the green beans and stir-fry until starting to char, 2-3 mins.

Stir in the remaining garlic, then turn the heat down to medium and cook for 1 min. Add the cavolo nero and a splash of water and immediately cover with a lid or some foil.

Cook until the beans and cavolo are tender, 4-5 mins. Remove the pan from the heat, season with salt and pepper and stir in the butter (see pantry for amount) until melted.

Transfer the veg to a bowl and set aside, covered to keep warm.

Heat a drizzle of oil in the (now empty) frying pan on high heat. Season the steaks with salt and pepper. Sprinkle over the remaining peri peri seasoning.

Once very hot, lay the steaks into the pan and fry until browned and medium-rare, about 6-8 mins depending on their thickness. Turn halfway through. TIP: Cook each side for 1 min more if you like it more well done.

Once cooked, transfer to a board, cover with foil and allow to rest for a couple of mins. IMPORTANT: Wash your hands and equipment after handling raw meat. The steak is safe to eat when browned on the outside.

While the steaks fry and once the potatoes are cooked, drain them in a colander and return to the pan, off the heat.

Add a knob of butter and a splash of milk (if you have any) and mash until smooth. Season with salt and pepper, then stir in half the hard Italian style cheese.

Once everything's ready, reheat the sauce if needed.

Cut the steaks widthways into 2cm thick slices.

Spoon the spiced ricotta sauce onto your serving plates and top with the sliced steak. Serve the mashed potato and garlicky veg alongside.

Finish by sprinkling the remaining cheese over the steak.