Penne Boscaiola with Chicken

Fakeaway is always better when cooked at home.... no matter what cuisine. I am sure you will agree?

Tonight's fakeaway is actually an adaptation of a meal, Penne Boscaiola, that is always a hit here at A Dash Of Flavour's home base - to the point the recipe is always doubled so lunches can be taken the next day.

For a very simple pasta dish this packs a punch of flavour with every mouthful. The sauce, creamy yet made from Light and Creamy Evaporated Milk laced with sweet chilli and Parmesan has a wonderful combined flavour that smothers the pasta. Along with the bacon and chicken I love the combination of the mushrooms, capsicum and baby spinach - simple but enough.

I added the chicken tonight just for some extra protein. I am sure this would also work well with tuna or even prawns should you wish to do the same. Just be warned it's very moreish and inviting - very easy to overindulge.

Penne Boscaiola with Chicken

(Recipe adapted from WW Heavenly D’Lites Cookbook)

Serves: 6

💚 sp per serve: 11

💙 sp per serve: 10

💜 sp per serve: 10

375 grams penne pasta or GF penne pasta (or pasta of your choice)

cooking spray

1 brown onion, finely chopped

3 teaspoons crushed garlic

150 grams middle bacon, fat trimmed

1 red capsicum, thinly sliced

150 grams button mushrooms, sliced

375 ml can Carnation Light and Creamy Evaporated Skim Milk

3 tablespoons sweet chilli sauce

150 grams baby spinach leaves

salt

freshly ground black pepper

80 grams finely grated Parmesan cheese

Cook pasta in pan of boiling water following packet instructions until just tender.  Drain.

Coat a large frying pan with cooking spray.  Cook the onions, garlic and bacon until onion is soft.  Add capsicum and mushroom and cook for a further 2 - 3 minutes until capsicum begins to soften.

Add the milk and chilli sauce to the pan.  Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.  Stir through the pasta, spinach and half the Parmesan cheese until mix through well and spinach just wilted.

Serve with remaining Parmesan cheese.

(Click here for a printable version of this recipe)

Fettucine Carbonara

Delicious and rich, this pasta dish makes the ultimate occasional indulgence.  I say this as it is definitely something that you wouldn't have too often for two reasons.

The first being that the flavours are so decadent and mourish that it is hard to stop at one bowl full even if you have eaten enough.

The second is that it isn't the best dish to cook if you are on a diet.  I do try and lighten up a lot of the recipes that I cook but some you just have to keep it basic and stick to the original recipes.  (However saying this I have made this one gluten free by swapping out the pasta).

My kids adore this dish - it is definitely a comfort meal and it's one that I go to as it is very quick and easy to prepare, cook and serve.

Fettucine Carbonara

Serves: 4

400 grams gluten free fettucine, or pasta of your choice

1 tablespoons olive oil

250 grams pancetta or bacon, cut into strips

1 large brown onion, finely chopped

3 garlic cloves, crushed

300 ml pure cream

3 eggs

1 cup finely grated parmesan, plus extra to serve

1/3 cup chopped continental parsley

Boil a large saucepan full of water and cook pasta following packet directions until al dente. Drain well.

Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. 

Add pancetta and onion. Cook for 8 minutes or until pancetta is golden. 

Add the garlic and cook for a further 2 minutes.

Whisk cream and eggs in a bowl. Stir in parmesan and season with salt and pepper. 

Add pancetta mixture and cream mixture to hot pasta and toss to combine. 

Stir through parsley and serve immediately sprinkled with extra parmesan.

(Click here for a printable version of this recipe)

Colin Fassnidge's Lamb Bolognese

Well I have a little obsession with My Kitchen Rules (MKR) and MasterChef.  Obviously people that know me would just roll their eyes into the back of their heads reading this.  I especially love watching the celebrity chefs on both shows, saying this one of my favourite chefs is Colin Fassnidge.

I came across this recipe on Delicious.com awhile ago while doing my second favourite pastime - googling! I don't normally cook with lamb mince but intrigue by the complexity of the flavours but the simplicity of the ingredients.  So it went on my "to cook list".

Menu planning this week, which I do every Saturday morning, I decided this would be our dinner one night.  Ironically I chose Monday night.  Whilst preparing dinner and watching MKR here I stood in the kitchen stiring Colin Fassnidge's Lamb Bolognese only to be watching him on the TV!!!  (Insert school girl giggle here!!)

Anyways I wasn't wrong about this dish... it was magical and such a welcome change from the good ol' spag bol my kids have grown to hate (apparently I have gone overboard in the hiding vegetables category in the normal bolognese sauce).  Everyone enjoyed.  The texture of the lamb mince compared to using beef was a change and the use of fresh herbs lifted the sauce to another level.  A surprise ingredient was a fennel bulb which wasn't overpowering and didn't leave an aniseed taste - in fact I would say it added a little sweetness to the sauce. 

The cooking process was quite simple and once the last ingredient was added all that was left was for it to simmer and thicken.  While this was happening the house filled with the combination of the fresh herbs and tomatoes - you know what I mean - it's that welcoming smell of home cooked goodness!

Overall, a magic pasta sauce which will definitely please anyone and will be cooked again.  Thanks Colin xx

Colin Fassnidge's Lamb Bolognese

(Recipe adapted from Delicious.com)

Serves: 6

SP per serve:  9

500 grams lamb mince

2 onions, diced

1 baby fennel, diced

3 carrots, diced

4 garlic cloves, finely chopped

¼ bunch each thyme, leaves picked and chopped

 ¼ bunch rosemary, leaves picked and chopped

¼ bunch sage, leaves picked and chopped

100ml white wine

2 cups sugo (or tomato passata)

2 cups chicken stock

salt

freshly ground black pepper

400 grams tagliatelle normal or Gluten Free

Grated Parmesan to serve, if desired

Place a large heavy-based pan over high heat. Add mince, and cook for 8 minutes or until excess liquid has evaporated, breaking up larger pieces with a spoon. Remove meat with a slotted spoon and set aside.

In the same pan, add onion, fennel and carrot. Cook 7 minutes, stirring regularly. Add garlic and herbs, and cook for 2 minutes or until fragrant. Return mince to the pan and combine.

Add wine and cook for 3 minutes or until slightly reduced. Add sugo and stock.

Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium and simmer 40 minutes or until sauce has thickened.  Season with salt and pepper.

Meanwhile, cook pasta in salted boiling water according to packet instructions. Drain.

When sauce is ready, serve, and top with Parmesan, if desired.

(click here for a printable version of this recipe)

Spicy Prawn & Scallop Fettuccine

While hubby and I are absolute self confessed foodaholics there are times (not many) that we are actually over food.  This obvious happens after we have eaten too well for too long.  Every now and then we fancy something plain Jane and easy.  This often includes Eggs, Beans and Chips for dinner which the kids think is actually fantastic by the way.

Tonight, after eating an abundance of good food between Christmas through to Australia Day weekend (last weekend) we both fancied something simple and easy yet full of flavour.  Funnily enough we both fancied seafood but didn't want anything Asian as we had just had lunch in Chinatown the previous Sunday.  Plus we always seem to cook prawns and scallops with an Asian influence.

While googling recipes, my next favourite hobby after cooking, I came across an Aussie blogger and her website Em's Food for Friends.  Let me tell you I am so glad that I did.  A really good read, full of recipes and delicious pictures.  And thats where I found a recipe for Spicy Prawn and Scallop Spaghetti.  From that moment dinner was sorted although there would be a few small alterations.

I didn't cut the prawns and scallops up as I prefer them whole.  I did however remove the shells of the tails of the prawns as that is a PET HATE of mine when you go to a restaurant and order a dish where you use cutlery and you have to battle prawn tail shells.  I am also not a fan of the roe on scallops so I purchase scallops with the roe already removed.  If you like the roe, add that in it too.

Overall this seafood laced pasta dish was magic. Starting with the simplicity of cooking all components right through to eating perfectly cooked seafood and pasta in a chilli, garlic and lemon tomato based sauce.  Both hubby and I were really surprised by the dish we will now also put on our comfort food list especially when we fancy something different.  We will definitely be cooking this again.

Spicy Prawn & Scallop Fettuccine

(Recipe adapted from Ems Food For Friends)

Serves: 4

SmartPoints per Serve:

300 gram fettuccine or pasta of your choice

2 teaspoons olive oil

1 tablespoon crushed garlic

2 teaspoon of dried chilli flakes

1 lemon

1/2 cup dry white wine

400 gram tin chopped tomatoes

1/2 cup reduced fat cream

1/2 teaspoon white sugar

salt 

freshly cracked pepper

600 grams raw green prawn meat, cleaned and patted dry

400 grams scallops, without roe, cleaned and patted dry

1/4 cup finely chopped flat leaf parsley

Cook your pasta according to packet instructions.  When almost al dente, drain and set aside.

Heat a large fry pan and add a little olive oil. Lightly fry the garlic, lemon zest and chilli flakes for approximately 1 minute.

Pour in the lemon juice and wine.

Allow to reduce for a few minutes.

Add the tomatoes, cream and sugar, season with salt and pepper. Stir well to combine and allow to simmer.

Fold the scallops, prawns and 2 tablespoons parsley through the simmering sauce.

Bring the mixture back to a simmer.

Add the pasta to the pan.

Toss well to combine.

Place in a large serving bowl, sprinkle with remaining parsley and serve immediately.

(Click here for a printable version of this recipe)

Beef and Balsamic Ragu

The world has been throwing everything possible at me as of late and while we have still been cooking up a storm in the kitchen and eating I have had little time to do much else besides work and be a mam.  I cannot believe my last post was 3 months ago... before we all know it the jolly man in the red suit will be coming down our chimneysI  Yikes!!!!

Everyone knows that I love reading cookbooks, cooking magazines or basically anything with a recipe in it or even on it!  Yes I have too many cookbooks, in fact the house is full and I have been banned several times from puchasing anymore!  However there is nothing more enjoyable than the feel of a cookbook, flicking through the pages reading and drooling over the stunning pictures. Not to mention finding a page of a recipe you have cooked before, once or many times, which has been splashed on or scribbled on as you've adapted the recipe.

Coles and Woolworths both produce a wonderful monthly magazine that's actually free and readily available at most service counters or checkouts. While there is quite a lot of product advertising there are always lots of really good recipes inside also.  Why am I promoting these magazines?  Well I can take them home and technically I didn't buy them so that's a win! And secondly because I have actually cooked some wonderful and tasty dinners from each of them.

When I cook Spaghetti Bolognaise it is jam packed full of vegetables much to my kids disgust.  There is always complaints about "why are there so many vegetables?" or "Can't you just make it plain?"  Listening to their pleas of agony I remembered that I had seen a recipe for a Ragu (which is pretty much the same as a Bolognaise) in a recent Woolworths magazine so I decided I would test this recipe out and see if it would appease the natives.

To my surprise it was well recieved, no complaints, no facial expressions as there were no surprise vegetable finds.  This nice, thick tomato based sauce laced with rosemary and a hint of the sweet yet acidic flavour of balsamic made for a very comforting meal.  While one would think that it had been slow cooked for hours to achieve the consistency and develop the flavours it was literally on the table within 40 minutes.

Beef and Balsamic Ragu

(recipe adapted from Woolworths.com.au)

Serves: 4
SmartPoints Per Serve: 14

325 gram pasta of your choice

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 red onions, cut into thin wedges

1 tablespoon finely chopped rosemary, plus extra to garnish

2 garlic cloves, crushed

500 grams lean beef mince

1/3 cup tomato paste

400 gram can crushed tomatoes

1 cup salt-reduced chicken stock

1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

1/2 cup finely grated parmesan

garlic bread, to serve

Cook pasta in boiling, salted water according to packet instructions. Drain and set to one side.

Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes or until tender and starting to caramelise.

Add rosemary, garlic and mince. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring to break up any lumps, or until mince is browned. Add tomato paste and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes.

Add tomatoes, stock and vinegar and bring to the boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes or until sauce thickens.

Sprinkle with Parmesan and serve with garlic bread (if desired).

(Click here for a printable version of this recipe)

Broccoli and Bacon Carbonara

Everyone has that one go to dish, right?  You know that one dish that just comes together, is easy and plates up perfectly and more importantly everyone enjoys.  Hubby's dish that always works is Nice Chicken, my mam's is always Shepherd's Pie and mine is Maple Mustard Chicken however the kids will say that it's Pasta Carbonara and the only reason I say this is because everytime I ask them what they would like for dinner I get the same answer - Pasta Carbonara!

I have to be truthful - it's not my most favourite pasta dish.. I prefer tomato based sauces laced with chilli and bolder flavours to be perfectly truthful however when it comes to risottos - the creamier the better.  But that's another story....

Tonight I decided to try a recipe that both hubby and I thought would not only be different but full of nice flavours.  It's a total spin on Pasta Carbonara with a creamy broccoli and cheese sauce instead the normal Carbonara sauce (which is basically eggs, cheese and cream).  Crispy bacon batons and broccoli florets made for a visually pleasing dish also.

An easy dish to make and was on the table in just under 45 minutes I thought this would of been a hit.  Both hubby and I thought it was nice although we both added crushed chilli flakes to ours, one child thought it was "ok" but main Carbonara lover said it was horrible!  I'm actually thinking if I didn't call it Broccoli and Bacon Carbonara and just named it Broccoli and Bacon Pasta would there have been a different mind set??

Broccoli and Bacon Carbonara

(Recipe adapted from Taste.com.au)

Serves: 6

SmartPoints per serve: 15

500 grams gluten free pasta or pasta of your choice

2 large head broccoli, cut into florets

1 small garlic clove, chopped

70 grams Parmesan, finely grated

1 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

300 mls light thickened cream

4 eggs

cooking spray

300 grams short cut bacon, cut into batons

additional Parmesan to serve

Cook pasta in a saucepan of boiling water following packet directions until tender. Drain, reserving 2 tablespoons liquid. Return pasta and reserved liquid to pan.

Meanwhile bring a large saucepan of boiling salted water to the boil over high heat. Add broccoli. Simmer for 4 minutes or until tender crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon. Refresh under cold running water. Pat dry.

Process half of the broccoli, garlic, half the cheese and oil in a food processor until smooth. Season. 

Whisk cream, eggs and remaining cheese in a bowl.  Season with salt and pepper.

Meanwhile, spray a frying pan with cooking spray and heat over medium heat. Cook bacon, stirring, for 6 minutes or until golden. Drain on paper towel.

Stir broccoli mixture, extra broccoli florets and 3/4 of the bacon into pasta. Add cream mixture. Toss until well combined. 

Sprinkle with remaining bacon and extra cheese.

(Click here for a printable version of this recipe)

Creamy Chicken and Bacon Spaghetti Boscaiola

Pasta I think is one of the Universal words which translates instantly to "comfort food" and never ceases to please anyone in any given mood or frame of mind.  No matter who you are, where you come from and what your nationality I can honestly say that I have never ever met anyone that does not like pasta.

 

In our house, it goes without saying that it is a favourite - whether it's served with a thick meat sauce or a creamier delicate sauce, no matter what shape or size it comes in, if it's layers upon layers, etc.  I could go on but which ever way it's served here its always a hit.  Tonight was no exception. 

 

I have actually been unwell for a wee bit with this dreaded flu that is sweeping Australia.  Many people are in hospital and some have actually lost their lives due to the deadly strain.  Thankfully I was administered some very strong antibiotics, steroids and some liquid codeine as soon as I felt bad however I was bed ridden for nearly four days.  I am still battling a horrid cough, but glad to say I feel there is an end to it coming closer.  While I am still weak and aching I actually returned to work today (thankfully as being bed ridden was doing my head in) and for the first time since last Thursday I cooked dinner.  Anyways enough about me. 

 

Tonight's dinner, Creamy Chicken and Bacon Spaghetti Boscaiola is based on one of our family favourites, Penne Boscaiola.  It is definitely the perfect comfort meal – creamy, jam packed with vegetables, chicken and bacon laced with hint of cheesy sweet chilli…. mmmmm!!  It's not a traditional Italian style pasta using Asian sweet chilli sauce but it works and I would urge you to try it. 

A perfect week night wonder as it’s very easy and quick to prepare and cook not to mention devoured almost instantly.

 

Creamy Chicken and Bacon Spaghetti Boscaiola

(Recipe adapted from WW Heavenly D’Lites Cookbook)

Serves: 6

 

375 grams spaghetti

cooking spray

1 brown onion, finely chopped

3 teaspoons crushed garlic
2 chicken fillets, fat trimmed and thinly sliced

150 grams middle bacon, fat trimmed

1 red capsicum, sliced

150 grams button mushrooms, sliced

375 ml can Carnation Light and Creamy Evaporated Skim Milk

 3 tablespoons sweet chilli sauce

150 grams baby spinach leaves

salt

freshly ground black pepper

80 grams finely grated parmesan cheese

Cook pasta in pan of boiling water following packet instructions until just tender.  Drain.

Coat a large frying pan with cooking spray.  Cook the chicken, stirring, until browned. Remove to a plate lined with absorbent paper.

In the same pan cook the onions, garlic and bacon until onion is soft.  Return chicken to the pan. 

Add capsicum and mushroom and cook for a further 2 - 3 minutes until capsicum begins to soften. 

Add the milk and chilli sauce to the pan.  Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. 

Stir through the pasta, spinach and half the parmesan cheese until mix through well and spinach just wilted.

Serve with remaining parmesan cheese.

 

(Click here for a printable version of this recipe)

Chicken and Bacon Ranch Casserole

Now once I saw this recipe I knew my kids would love it... of course they would considering it was pasta - cheesy pasta with chicken and bacon.  Little did they know that it would also contain salad dressing, Ranch Dressing, when they were enjoying every mouthful.

 

Yes you read correctly - Ranch Dressing.  One of the most loved salad dressing can actually be used in cooking and it compliments this pasta dish amazingly.  The smooth combination of the garlic, the herbs and the creaminess of the mayonnaise and sour cream added noticeable flavours to the marinated chicken and of course the goodness of bacon. 

 

It was so good the kids pretty much ate the whole casserole dish full in one sitting.

Chicken and Bacon Ranch Casserole

(Adapted from Top Quick Recipes)

 

Serves - 6

 

2 tablespoons olive oil

1/2 tablespoon of chilli sauce of your choice

1 teaspoon pepper

salt to taste

1/2 teaspoon of fresh parsley

500 grams boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced

500 grams bacon, chopped

1 medium onion, diced

500 grams pasta of your choice

1 cup Homemade Ranch Dressing or store brought Ranch Dressing

1/2 cup light thickened cream

1/2 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded

1 1/2 cups Mozzarella cheese, shredded

Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius.

In a large bowl place olive oil, chilli sauce, pepper, salt and parsley.  Mix until well combined.  Add chicken and toss to evenly coat.  Cover and set aside.

In a large frying pan, over medium heat, cook bacon until crisp.  Remove from pan and drain on a paper towel.

 

To the same frying pan add the marinated chicken and diced onion and cook until no longer pink in the center. Set aside.

Bring a large saucepan of water to boil and cook pasta as per the packet directions.  When al dente drain well.

 

Add the chicken, bacon, ranch dressing and cream to the cooked pasta and toss until well coated.

Spray a large casserole dish with cooked spray Add ranch covered pasta to the greased baking dish

Sprinkle both cheeses and bake until cooked through and the cheese is completely melted, about 20 - 25 minutes.

(Click here for a printable version of this recipe)

Chorizo and Thyme Carbonara

While we are on the subject of pasta - here is another filling and delicious pasta dish.

This upbeat version of traditional Carbonara has a bit of a spicy kick from the Spanish Chorizo while still having the comforting taste of a creamy pasta sauce. 

As with everyone's favourite Pasta Carbonara the recipe is still simple - the basic ingredients of eggs, parmesan and cream.  Replacing the bacon with Chorizo which caramelized until crunchy and this coupled with fresh thyme leaves makes a delicious change..

 

Chorizo and Thyme Carbonara

(Recipe sourced from Super Food Ideas Magazine)

Serves: 4

375g dried pappardelle pasta

2 chorizo, finely chopped

1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh thyme leaves

3 eggs, lightly beaten

1/3 cup light thickened cream for cooking

1/2 cup finely grated parmesan, plus extra to serve

1/4 cup finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves

 

Cook pasta following packet directions until just tender. Drain, reserving ½ cup cooking liquid. Return pasta to pan over low heat.

Meanwhile, heat a medium frying pan over medium-high heat. Cook chorizo, stirring, for 5 minutes or until browned. Stir in thyme. Remove from heat.

Whisk egg, cream and parmesan in a jug. Add egg mixture, reserved cooking liquid, 1/2 the parsley and 1/2 the chorizo to pasta. Toss to combine and heat through. Season with pepper.

Serve pasta topped with remaining chorizo and parsley, and extra parmesan.

 

(Click here for a printable version of this recipe)

Slow Cooked Beef and Pancetta Ragu

Italian food - food for the soul.  Let's face it everyone loves pasta even those low-carb diet followers secretly love pasta.  I honestly have never met anyone that does not like pasta.  Have you?

 

This wonderful Italian number shines at the top of the comfort food list... slow cooked tender beef with pancetta in a thick tomato and herb sauce is perfect especially on a cold winter's night. 

 

Now this recipe does take quite a few hours on the stove top but I am sure that it would work perfectly well in a slow cooker.  I was home all day so it was easy for me to keep an eye on the pot on the stove top.  A slow cooker would definitely be easier though.

 

Fresh thyme and rosemary are perfectly placed in this sauce - please ensure you do try and use fresh herbs anytime you can the chance.  The flavour is much fresher and bolder than dried herbs in packets.

 

This ragu can be made ahead of time.  Allow to cool and it will last in the fridge for up to 3 days in a sealed container.  It's perfectly good to freeze also. 

 



Slow Cooked Beef and Pancetta Ragu

(recipe adapted from Taste.com)

Serves: 8

 

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1.25kilograms gravy beef, trimmed, cut into 3cm pieces

1 large brown onion, chopped

2 medium carrots, finely chopped

1 red capsicum, finely chopped

100 gram pancetta, finely chopped

3 sprigs fresh rosemary

4 sprigs fresh thyme

2 garlic cloves, crushed

2 tablespoons plain flour

3/4 cup red wine

1/3 cup tomato paste

1 cup beef stock

410 gram can crushed tomatoes

750 grams dried pappardelle pasta

50 grams  butter, chopped

Grated parmesan to serve

Chilli flakes to serve (optional)

Heat half the oil in a large heavy-based flameproof casserole dish over medium-high heat. Cook the beef, in batches, until browned all over. Transfer to a bowl.

Reduce heat to medium. Heat remaining oil in same dish. Add onion, carrot, capsicum, pancetta, rosemary and thyme. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes or until vegetables just begin to soften.

Add garlic. Cook for 1 minute or until fragrant. Add flour. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute or until vegetables are coated. Stir in wine. Bring to a simmer. Simmer for 1 minute or until reduced slightly. Add tomato paste, stock and tomatoes. Stir to combine.

Return beef to dish. Stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper. Cover. Bring to the boil. Reduce heat to low. Simmer, stirring occasionally, for 3 hours, or until meat is very tender and sauce thickens. Use the back of a spoon or a potato masher to break up meat.

Cook pasta following packet directions. Drain well. Return to pan. Add butter. Toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper.

 

Serve ragu on pasta, sprinkled with parmesan and chilli, if desired.

 

 

 (Click here for a printable version of this recipe) 

Spicy Pork Meatballs with Spaghetti

Pasta is one of those dishes that even the fussiest of eaters will enjoy... ultimately pasta is a comfort food for many.  In our house it is definitely held in high regard when you just want to eat something for the soul and to make you feel better about everything.

Today, with having a full day of football ahead, I knew that we need a quick easy dinner that when we got home from football.  Knowing all I had to do was to make the tomato sauce and cooked pasta, this ensured that we had an hearty Sunday night dinner but I wasn't spending all evening in the kitchen.  While I made this recipe today in halves - in total it would take less than 45 minutes to take this dish from kitchen to table so it would be a perfect weeknight wonder also.

I quickly made some yummy bite size meatballs, pork laced with thyme, chilli and as usual, hidden vegetables.  These were baked in the other rather than fried in an effort to reduce the fat content of adding extra oil.    The meatballs themselves, can be cooked at an earlier date, cooled and frozen in preparation for this dish or another.

The tomato sauce, in this instance, was a very easy mix very similar to a Marinara Sauce.  Tomatoes, simmered with onions until thickened laced with a little sweetness to compliment the herbs and spices in the meatballs.

Serve with a pasta of your choice.  In our house it's Meatballs with Spaghetti - just like in that memorable Disney movie Lady and the Tramp.  Whichever pasta you choose I am sure this will become a favourite on your menu.

Spicy Pork Meatballs with Spaghetti

Serves: 8

cooking spray

1 kilogram lean minced pork

2 onions, finely diced

2 carrots, peeled and grated

2 zucchini, grated

2 teaspoons crushed garlic

1 teaspoon crushed chilli or sambal oelek

3 tablespoons tomato paste

1 teaspoon ground white pepper

2 tablespoon dried thyme

1 tablespoon dried parsley

2 teaspoons smoked paprika

1 brown onion, finely diced, additional

2 cans diced tomatoes 

2 cup water

1 tablespoon white sugar

salt 

freshly ground black pepper

spaghetti or pasta of your choice
grated Parmesan Cheese, for serving
dried chilli flakes, optional

Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius.  

Line a large baking tray with baking paper.  Spray with cooking spray.

Place pork, onions, carrots, zucchini, garlic, chilli paste, tomato paste, pepper, thyme, parsley and paprika in a very large bowl.  Mix, using your hands, until well combined.  Shape pork mixture into 48 evenly sized meatballs.  

Place meatballs on a baking tray in a single layer.  Bake in oven for 30 or until browned, turning several times during cooking.

Meanwhile spray a large saucepan with cooking spray and heat over low heat. Add onion and cook, stirring, until softened. Add tomatoes, water and sugar. Season with salt black pepper. Bring to the boil, stirring, reduce heat to a simmer.

Remove meatballs from oven and add to the tomato mixture carefully.  Stir gently to mix through and simmer until thickened and liquid has slightly reduced, stirring occasionally.

While sauce is simmering, bring a large saucepan of water to the boil and cook spaghetti or pasta as per the directions on the packet.  Drain.

Serve spaghetti or pasta topped with the meatballs and sprinkle with Parmesan Cheese and additional chilli flakes, if desired.

(Click here for a printable version of this recipe)

Creamy Pasta with Chicken and Brocollini

We hadn't had pasta for a while, or at least it seemed like it had been a long time.  I thought I would try a diabetes friendly creamy pasta dish.  Sounds to good to be true, right?

OMG it was yummy!  The flavours just burst in your mouth.  Heaven in a bowl - the comfort of a creamy sauce, tender chicken and soft pasta.  

I found the combination of lemon and rosemary really flavoursome - I was a little worried that it would taste more like a dessert with using the lemon but it was balance perfectly.  The chicken was moist and tender and the broccolini was just cooked to perfection.

Overall, this pasta dish was enjoyed by one and all.

Creamy Pasta with Chicken and Broccolini

(Recipe adapted from WW Eat Well Diabetes)

Serves: 4

SmartPoints per serve: 13

250 grams fettuccine pasta

2 bunches broccolini, coarsely chopped

cooking spray

500 grams lean chicken breast fillets, fat trimmed

2 garlic cloves, crushed

2 teaspoons finely grated lemon rind

1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh rosemary

salt

freshly ground black pepper

2 teaspoons cornflour

1 teaspoon chicken stock powder

375 ml can evaporated skim milk

Cook fettuccine in a large saucepan of boiling water, following packet instructions, or until just tender.  Add broccolini for last 2 minutes of cooking, drain.

Meanwhile, stray a deep non-stick frying pan over high heat.  Cook chicken, stirring, for 5 minutes or until browned.  Add garlic, lemon rind and rosemary and cook, stirring for 1 minute.  Season with salt and pepper.

In a small jug combine cornflour, stock powder and 2 tablespoons evaporated milk and mix until smooth.

Add remaining milk to the pan with the chicken and bring to the boil.  Gradually stir in the cornflour mixture.  Reduce heat and simmer, stirring, for 2 minutes or until mixture slightly thickens.

Add pasta and broccolini to pan with chicken and toss gently to coat in sauce and pasta is heat ed through.

Serve with a 0 SmartPoint salad and if desired freshly grated parmesan cheese (SP point value depending on quantity).

(Click here for a printable version of this recipe)

Macaroni and Cheese with Bacon

Our princess Alexandria will eat pasta every day if we let her.  She enjoys pasta more than anything in the world.  As a special treat I thought I would cook one of her all time favourites - Mac and Cheese.  Of course, there had to be a twist.  I added bacon and onion to the mix to make it a one pot dish for her dinner.

This has to be one of the easiest pasta dishes to make - it's creamy and gooey texture screams comfort food with every mouthful.  The soft pasta is so tender it almost melts in your mouth and being enveloped with the cheesy sauce is just a perfect partnership but made more so tempting with bacon pieces scattered through the mix.  OMG - normally more than one serve is eaten.  Trust me you will be going back for more than seconds.....

Please note that you want to make more than the recipe - just simply double it.  Please resist adding more pasta and cheese!  Please resist the urge to add more pasta to stretch the recipe. You need a lot of sauce with that pasta.  As this is baked after both the pasta and sauce is cooked the pasta will continue to soak up the liquid while baking.  If you want a cheesier Mac and Cheese sprinkle more in between layers of pasta and on top - do not add extra cheese to the sauce as it will change the consistency in a bad way.

Macaroni and Cheese with Bacon

(Recipe adapted from Kitchen Treaty)

Serves: 6 - 8

250 grams macaroni or pasta elbows (or pasta of your choice)

cooking spray

1 brown onion, finely diced

150 grams bacon, diced (or more if desired)

3 tablespoons butter

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 dijon mustard

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1/8 teaspoon smoked paprika plus more for sprinkling on top

2 1/2 cups skim milk

3 cups grated medium cheddar cheese

Boil the pasta until al dente, according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cool water to stop the cooking, and return to the pan you boiled it in. Set aside.

Spray a frying pan with cooking spray.  Heat over medium high heat.  Add onion and bacon.  Cook, stirring, for 5 - 8 minutes or until onion has softened and bacon starting to crisp.  Remove from heat and drain on paper towel.  Once cooled add to the pasta.

Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius.

To a medium saucepan over medium heat, add the butter. When the butter has melted, add the flour, salt, mustard, pepper, and 1/8 teaspoon smoked paprika. With a wooden spoon or whisk, stir constantly for three minutes.

Add the milk in a thin stream, stirring constantly with a whisk. Continue to stir constantly until the sauce thickens, about 10-12 minutes.

Remove from heat and add 2 cups of the cheese, stirring until melted. Pour the cheese sauce over the pasta and toss gently until all of the pasta is coated.

Add half the pasta to a large casserole dish (I used a 20cm x 30cm baking dish). Sprinkle on half the cheese. Add the rest of the pasta. Sprinkle on the rest of the cheese, then dust lightly with the smoked paprika.

Bake for about 25-30 minutes, until the mac and cheese starts getting a slightly dry and a tiny bit brown on top.

Serve or eat straight from the casserole dish LOL.

(Click here for a printable version of this recipe)