How to make lamb with pears and black olives

Now is the time to indulge in brown food, says Julia Platt Leonard. Although they might not be winning any beauty contests, stews are to be welcomed with open arms

Resist the urge to sprinkle herbs on meat stews – they’re flavoursome as they are (Photos Julia Platt Leonard)

Brown food gets a bad rap. All that monochrome makes us nervous and itchy to toss on some chopped parsley or chives. But it shouldn’t.

Stews and slow-cooked meats just don’t need it. While they may not win any beauty contest, they deliver in taste – and now is the time to indulge in some brown food cooking.