Party Nut Loaf

Directions

1. 1
   Butter a 2lb loaf tin and line it with well-greased non-stick baking parchment.
2. 2
   In a medium saucepan, melt 1 oz of the butter and soften the onion over a medium heat for about five minutes.
3. 3
   Stir in the flour and cook for a further minute.
4. 4
   Gradually add the milk, stirring continuously until the mixture thickens.
5. 5
   Simmer for two minutes, then remove the pan from the heat.
6. 6
   Cool, the beat in the egg whites (put the yolks to one side for the filling), nuts, breadcrumbs, cheese and parsley, and mix well.
7. 7
   Put aside until you have prepared the filling.
8. 8
   Filling : Cook the shallots in the remaining butter until soft, then add the mushrooms and cook over a high heat until browned.
9. 9
   Add the courgette to the pan and cook over a medium heat for 2-3 minutes until the juices run, then add the herbs and nutmeg.
10. 10
    Season to taste with salt and pepper and remove from the heat.
11. 11
    Allow to cool slightly, then stir in the egg yolks.
12. 12
    Spread half of the nut mixture into the prepared loaf tin, spoon the mushroom and courgette filling on top, and cover with the remaining nut mixture.bake at 180c/350F/gas 4 for 40 minutes, or until firm.
13. 13
    Leave to stand for 10 minutes before turning out the loaf on to a serving plate and slice it using a very sharp knife.