Comfort food

Humour keeps us alive. Humour and food. Don’t forget food. You can go a week without laughing… But food is maybe the only universal thing that really has the power to bring everyone together. No matter what culture, everywhere around the world, people eat together… Yesterday I wasn’t really in the mood to cook anything too challenging as been a very intense, emotional, draining week for many reasons but these kids need something good to keep them going and deserve a yummy treat! So a quick easy meal achieved! Also, I think carbs are comfort food.

My toddler made the chocolate brownie with Betty Crocker mix and the giant cookie – decorated with milkybar Mix Up Buttons! She is really getting into cooking – the cheat packets at the minute are a saviour, as my toddler enjoys cooking but also like any toddler has a limited attention span.

INGREDIENTS:
• Chicken Italia Mince.
• 1 Medium Onion (Diced)
• 400g Can of Chopped Tomatoes
• 2 Tbsp Tomato Puree
• 250g of any type of pasta.
• Peas and sweetcorn optional.
• Grated cheese optional.

The conchiglie is super easy to cook and the mince was @heckfooduk Chicken Italia Mince (gluten free but best to check the ingredients as it’s pre-seasoned mince)

I’m probably the worse at recipes but I’m a ‘wing it’ cooker!

METHOD:
1) Add 1 tbsp of olive oil to a non-stick pan on a high heat. Dice onion then fry off, cook until golden.

2) Add the 500g of chicken Italia mince to the pan – then have the mince on a medium heat.

3) Add the tin of chopped tomatoes and tomato puree, stir until fully combined and simmer for 10-15.

4) Add any extra vegetables you want – I put in peas and sweetcorn as a way to ‘sneak in’ extra vegetables.

5) Whilst the mince is cooking, bring a pan of water to the boil. Add 2 good pinches of salt to the water, then add the dried pasta (I personally think all pasta works, or rice, whatever you like). Cook for 10-12 minutes or until the pasta is al dente.

6) Add 4 tbsp of pasta water to your bolognese and stir in.

7) Strain your pasta, put into bowls.

8) Make sure your bolognese is piping hot throughout then put on top of the pasta.

9) Add grated cheese, use condiments or anything else you enjoy!😋