All posts tagged: spaghetti

Spaghetti and Chonky Meatballs

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When it comes to spaghetti and meatballs, I’m a fan of chonky meatballs. These meatballs are egg size and weigh just over 70 grams each. You can use a ¼ cup measuring cup to scoop but I just eyeball it. Spaghetti and Chonky Meatballs 20 mins prep | 40 mins cookDifficulty: Easy | Serves 4 INGREDIENTS1 slice bread (the end slice of a loaf is perfect)½ cup milk700g beef mince¼ onion, finely chopped4 cloves garlic, minced2 Tbsp fresh parsley, chopped1 tsp salt¼ tsp ground black pepper2 Tbsp oil½ cup red wine400g can diced tomatoes1 beef stock cube dissolved in ½ cup hot water2 Tbsp tomato paste1 Tbsp dried oregano½ tsp chilli flakes TO SERVE400g dried spaghetti cooked to package instructionsGrated parmesanFresh parsley PREPARATION1. Cut the bread into 1 cm strips, then cut into 1cm cubes. Place bread cubes in a large mixing bowl with milk. Allow to soak for 2 minutes until soft. Mash gently with a spoon to break up the bread into a paste.2. Add onion, garlic, parsley, salt and pepper. Mix to …

Spicy Sausage and Broad Bean (fava) Pasta

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Broad beans are also known as fava beans and though I didn’t plant any this year, someone at work brought in bounty of beans so I squirreled some home. I’m not much of a gardener so I need encouragement or inspiration to grow things. The low yield for work of fava beans turned me off growing them but if it’s free, I’ll take it! Like most households, we always have a few bags of pasta in stock. Actually, right now we have four varieties of pasta. A 500 gram (1 pound) bag of spaghetti should feed five people, but I always cook half a bag of spaghetti which equals to 250 grams. We always get a portion of leftovers for my lunch the next day and I figure a free lunch is good. We’re a two person household so splitting a bag into five portions is nonsensical to me. I used spaghetti, but use whatever pasta shape you like. The sauce is thick and robust and will stick to any pasta like glue. There’s nothing watery …

Seeing Red

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On our Valentine’s Day, we enjoyed a scarlet feast of both sweet and savoury with friends in our backyard until late. Red is one of my favourite colours and it was fun to eat and dress for the occasion. There are loads of red foods and drinks out there and everyone really got into the spirit. Our read feast included: Red velvet cupcakes, jam tarts, pies, cheerios (cocktail sausages) with tomato sauce, home made salsa with nachos, spaghetti and meatballs, plenty of red wine, virgin and non-bloody mary drinks. Instead of having two or three courses, we  put everything on the table and as we pleased. Much like a children’s birthday party, where you don’t distinguish  the appropriate order of eating chips, lollies, fairy bread, sausage rolls or cake. It was a fun way to eat…even if a little sickening. I’m already thinking of the next excuse to have a themed pot-luck.

Pork dumplings with prawns and pasta

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I always make enough dumplings to feed a gang of rowdy cats, so there is always plenty to freeze. When faced with no fresh food in the house, at least I’ll have a bag of frozen prawns, frozen home made dumplings and some dried pasta to work with. Pinch a few basil and spring onion leaves from the pots on the deck you got yourself an easy dinner.

EasyPeasy SpagBol

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Spaghetti Bolognese is one of those easy crowd pleasers. Cheap, tasty, filling. I often cook a big batch even if it’s the two of us because it reheats wonderfully for lunches the next day. You can also make the first part in advance and refrigerate, then pop it into the oven prior to serving. I find herbs lose their potency the more you cook them, so in this dish, I add them near the end. EasyPeasy SpagBol Enough for 2 for dinner and some lunch the next day. Ingredients Half a kilo of beef mince Half a pack of dried pasta 1 tin of diced tomotoes 1 onion, diced 1 cup of grated cheese 10 mushrooms, sliced 4 cloves garlic, sliced Salt and pepper A handful of fresh herbs like sage, rosemary, oregano or thyme, chopped Preparation Preheat oven to 180°C. Add onion and mince to a frying pan. Cook until brown and then add garlic and mushrooms. When these are also cooked through, add the tin of tomatoes and stir through. Season well. Cook pasta …