blog off/cook off, episode 3: meaty pasta sauce

So today's recipe is really versatile. It's a meaty sauce that you can use for things like lasagne, spag bol or good old pasta bake.  Here's what you'll need:

500 grams lean mince

4 rashers of shortcut bacon (that's the stuff with all the fat removed)

1 small onion, chopped

1/2 carrot, grated**

1/2 zucchini, grated**

2 tablespoons tomato paste

1 cup water

1 tin tomato puree 

(You can use a tin of tomatoes if you prefer.  Personally I like the puree because it has a lighter flavour and isn't as, well, chunky as the tinned tomatoes.)

and of course, your Gourmet Garden herbs which in this recipe are

Chunky Garlic and Basil.

** I grate my veggies for this dish because once everything else is added, the grated veggies just sort of blend in and the kids can't tell that they're eating vegetables.  I know.  So sneaky of me.  But it totally works.  Promise.

Ok, so fire up your frypan and throw in the bacon.

Once that's browned off a bit, toss in your veggies ...

and then add a good squeeze of Chunky Garlic and Basil.

Add your mince,

and cook until it's brown...

 Add in the tomato paste, the tomato puree and stir...

and then add your cup of water.

Or just fill up the empty puree tin with water.

Either option is fine.

Mix it all up nicely, before turning the heat down a bit, 

whacking the lid on and leaving it for about 20-30 minutes.

This will give you enough time to clean up the messy kitchen that you always seem to create while cooking.  Or maybe that's just me.

But whatever you do, don't upload the photos you've just taken of your cooking and start to write a blog post about it while your meaty sauce is bubbling away, or you'll loose track of the time and your sauce will totes dry up.  Or so I've heard.

If that does happen to you, you can solve the problem by adding a bit more water.  Apparently.  I wouldn't know, because I always keep a close eye on everything I cook. Ha!  

And that's it!  Your meaty sauce is done.  Today I decided to add the sauce to 2 cups of cooked pasta, throw some cheese on top and bake in the oven for about 20 mins at 200 degrees....

Viola! 

Delicious Pasta Bake with Meaty Sauce.

Serves 2 tired adults and 2 hungry kids.

With a salad, if you can be bothered.

PS:  It seems that yesterday's Chicken Meatball recipe was really popular!

Thanks to everyone who left a comment on the post and/or over on the Facebook page

I really appreciate your support.

And if you do whip up your own Chicken Meatball dish,

be sure to take a photo and email it to me

cos I think we need to feature your clever work on this little blog

xox