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February, 2021

Pappardelle with Ragu

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SERVINGS: 6-8                     PREP: 10min                          COOK TIME: 3hr 20min

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INGREDIENTS:

• 110g (4oz) smoked pancetta, chopped

• Olive oil

• 1 onion, finely chopped

• 1 carrot, finely chopped

• 2 sticks celery, finely chopped

• 1kg (2lb) beef mince

• ½ cup (125ml, 4fl oz) red wine

• 2/3 cup (140g, 5oz) tomato paste

• 2 cups (500ml, 1pt) boiling water

• 2 beef (or chicken) stock cubes

• 2 bay leaves

• 1kg (2lb) dried pappardelle

 

METHOD:

1. Fry smoked pancetta in a deep frying pan with olive oil for 3 minutes on a low heat, until starting to crisp. Add onion, carrot and celery. Sweat for 10 minutes with lid on, until soft and onion is translucent.

2. Add mince, stirring until beef has browned. Pour in red wine and cook at a gentle simmer for 5 minutes until sauces has reduced down. Stir in tomato paste, then add boiling water. crumble in stock cubes and add bay leaves. Cover pan and simmer for 3 hours.

3. When ready to eat, bring a saucepan of salted water to the boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente. Drain well.

4. Place the cooked pasta in a pan with the sauce and stir, over heat, until pasta is coated in sauce.

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Captain Honey. (2016). The Easy Kitchen. Morningside: Herron Book Distributors.

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March, 2021

Easy Beef Casserole

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SERVINGS: 4                     PREP: 15min                          COOK TIME: 2hr 15min

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INGREDIENTS:

• ¼ cup (30g, 1oz) plain flour

• Salt and pepper, to taste

• 1kg (2lb) chuck steak, trimmed, cubed

• 2 tbsps olive oil

• 2 leeks, thinly sliced

• 2 red capsicums

• 2 garlic cloves, crushed

• 600g (1lb 5 oz) chopped fresh tomato (or use 1½ x 400g/14oz cans)

• 2 tbsps tomato paste

• 2 tbsps brown sugar

• 2 tbsps Dijon mustard

• 1 tbsp thyme leaves, roughly chopped

• Thyme sprigs to garnish

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METHOD:

1. Preheat oven to 180oC (350oF, Gas Mark 4). Mix flour with salt and pepper. Lightly coat steak in the seasoned flour.

2. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat. Cook steak in small batches for 2 minutes at a time until browned.

3. Place cooked steak in  large casserole dish.

4. Into the frying pan add the rest of the oil along with the leeks, capsicum and garlic. Cook over medium heat for 3-4 minutes.

5. Add tomatoes, tomato paste, vinegar, mustard and chopped thyme. Bring to the boil and pour over the steak.

6. Bake, with the dish covered, for 2 hours so that the meat is tender. Add salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with thyme.

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Captain Honey. (2016). The Easy Kitchen. Morningside: Herron Book Distributors.