Food and Drink
Bolognese pasta bake
Ragù, or bolognese sauce, is easy to make but takes time to cook. It cooks by itself and you have only to keep an occasional eye on it to prevent it from burning. Make a big batch ahead and use it as part of relaxed pasta dishes, such as this bolognese pasta bake.
Ingredients
For the bolognese
30g/1oz unsalted butter
4 tbsp olive oil
50g/1¾oz cubed pancetta
1 onion, finely chopped
1 celery stick, finely chopped
1 carrot, finely chopped
400g/14oz lean beef mince
2 tsp tomato purée
250ml/9fl oz red wine
1 bay leaf
300ml/10fl oz beef or chicken stock
freshly grated nutmeg, to taste
400g/14oz penne
75g/2¾oz Parmesan, finely grated
salt and freshly ground black pepper
For the cheese sauce
35g/1½oz butter
30g/1oz plain flour
350ml/12fl oz milk
75g/2¾oz Gruyère, grated
Recipe tipsHow-to-videos
Method
Heat the butter and oil in a heavy-based saucepan. Throw in the pancetta and fry for 2–3 minutes, stirring very frequently. Add the onion to the pan and fry until soft and golden.
Add the celery and carrot and cook for 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add the beef and cook, breaking up the meat with a fork or spoon, until browned all over.
Mix in the tomato purée and cook for 1 minute. Pour in the wine, add the bay leaf and boil for 2–3 minutes. Add the stock a little at a time, whenever there is no more liquid on the bottom of the pan. Season with the nutmeg and salt and pepper. Cook for 1 hour (or more if you can). Taste and adjust the seasoning before serving.
To make the cheese sauce, melt the butter over a very low heat in a heavy-bottomed saucepan. Add the flour and stir well. Cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture is just golden but not brown. Add the milk, a few tablespoons at a time, until it has been incorporated and the sauce is smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Slowly bring the sauce to the boil, stirring all the time, and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the Gruyère.
Preheat the oven to 200C/180C Fan/Gas 6.
Cook the penne in salted water for 2 minutes less than the packet instructions, or until it is almost done. Drain well.
Put the penne in a large gratin dish. Pour over the ragu and mix well. Cover it with the cheese sauce and sprinkle over the Parmesan. Bake for 25 minutes, or until the top is nicely browned. Serve.
Source: BBC
Roast chicken noodle soup recipe. Have dinner on the table in a flash with this 5-ingredient chicken and noodle soup.
Ingredients (6)
– 1 tbsp olive oil
– 1kg Soup Starter Pack, cut into 2cm pieces
– 2 Massel 7’s Stock Cubes Chicken Style
– 250g Coles Australian Spaghetti No.1, broken into 5cm pieces
– 1/2 (about 500g) Hot Roast Chicken, skin and bones removed, meat shredded
– 6 cups (1.5L) water
Method
Step 1
Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add vegetables and cook for 2-3 mins until lightly browned.
Step 2
Add stock cubes and 6 cups (1.5L) water. Stir in pasta. Bring to the boil.
Step 3
Simmer for 10 mins or until vegetables are tender and pasta is al dente. Add the chicken. Simmer until the chicken is heated through. Season.
source – BBC
20-minute healthy bolognese recipe. Lentils, cherry tomatoes and basil provide a rich colour and flavour for this bright, modern take on beef bolognese that the family will love. The best part is that it’ll be ready in just 20 minutes.
Ingredients (12)
– 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
– 500g beef mince
– 1/3 cup (95g) tomato paste
– 4 garlic cloves, finely grated
– 1/4 cup (75g) caramelised onion jam
– 2 tbsp soy sauce
– 400g can lentils, rinsed, drained
– 375g instant lasagne sheets
– 500g mixed cherry tomatoes, halved
– Pinch of Oregano Leaves
– Basil leaves, to serve
– Grated parmesan, to serve
Method
Step 1
Heat the 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil in a large pan over high heat. Cook 500g beef mince, stirring, for 3 minutes or until browned. Add 1/3 cup (95g) tomato paste and 4 garlic cloves, finely grated, and cook for 2 minutes, then add 1/4 cup (75g) caramelised onion jam, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 400g can lentils, rinsed, drained and 1 cup (250ml) water. Reduce heat to medium. Season with black pepper. Cook for 12 minutes or until slightly reduced. Remove from heat.
Step 2
Meanwhile, cook 375g instant lasagne sheets in a pan of boiling salted water according to packet instructions until al dente. Drain.
Step 3
Top lasagne sheets with bolognese, 500g mixed cherry tomatoes, halved, Pinch of Oregano Leaves, Basil leaves, to serve and Grated parmesan, to serve to serve.
source – tastecom
Lemon meringue scones recipe. Swap your regular scones for something a bit different: this easy, retro recipe inspired by lemon meringue pie.
Ingredients (10)
– 400g (2 2/3 cups) self-raising flour, plus extra, to dust
– 100g (1/2 cup) caster sugar
– 60g butter, chilled, chopped
– 1 tbsp finely grated lemon rind
– 250ml (1 cup) lemonade
– 80ml (1/3 cup) fresh lemon juice
– 25g bought mini meringues, finely crushed
– 160ml (2/3 cup) thickened cream, whipped
– 130g (1/2 cup) bought lemon curd
– Icing sugar, to dust
Method
Step 1
Preheat oven to 220C/200C fan forced. Line a baking tray with baking paper. Sift the 400g (2 2/3 cups) self-raising flour, plus extra, to dust into a large bowl. Stir in 2 tablespoons of the 100g (1/2 cup) caster sugar. Use your fingertips to rub the 60g butter, chilled, chopped into the mixture until it resembles fine crumbs. Stir in the 1 tbsp finely grated lemon rind. Make a well in the centre.
Step 2
Pour the 250ml (1 cup) lemonade into the well. Use a flat-bladed knife in a cutting motion to mix until evenly incorporated and the mixture just begins to hold together. Knead on a lightly floured surface until just smooth. Shape dough into a 2cm-thick disc. Use a round 6cm-diameter pastry cutter dipped in extra flour to cut 12 rounds from the dough, re-shaping offcuts as needed. Place the scones, slightly apart, on the prepared tray. Bake for 17 minutes or until golden and scones sound hollow when tapped on top.
Step 3
Meanwhile, place the 80ml (1/3 cup) fresh lemon juice and remaining sugar in a small saucepan. Bring to the boil over high heat. Boil for 3-4 minutes or until thickens slightly. Remove from heat.
Step 4
Use a serrated knife to slice the warm scones in half horizontally. Brush the tops of the scones with the syrup then sprinkle with 25g bought mini meringues, finely crushed. Top the scone bases with 160ml (2/3 cup) thickened cream, whipped and 130g (1/2 cup) bought lemon curd then sandwich with the scone tops. Serve dusted with Icing sugar, to dust.
source – tastecom