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February, 2021
Pappardelle with Ragu
SERVINGS: 6-8 PREP: 10min COOK TIME: 3hr 20min
INGREDIENTS:
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110g (4oz) smoked pancetta, chopped
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Olive oil
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1 onion, finely chopped
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1 carrot, finely chopped
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2 sticks celery, finely chopped
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1kg (2lb) beef mince
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½ cup (125ml, 4fl oz) red wine
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2/3 cup (140g, 5oz) tomato paste
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2 cups (500ml, 1pt) boiling water
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2 beef (or chicken) stock cubes
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2 bay leaves
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1kg (2lb) dried pappardelle
METHOD:
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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.
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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.
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When ready to eat, bring a saucepan of salted water to the boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente. Drain well.
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Place the cooked pasta in a pan with the sauce and stir, over heat, until pasta is coated in sauce.
Captain Honey. (2016). The Easy Kitchen. Morningside: Herron Book Distributors.

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March, 2021
Easy Beef Casserole
SERVINGS: 4 PREP: 15min COOK TIME: 2hr 15min
INGREDIENTS:
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¼ cup (30g, 1oz) plain flour
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Salt and pepper, to taste
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1kg (2lb) chuck steak, trimmed, cubed
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2 tbsps olive oil
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2 leeks, thinly sliced
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2 red capsicums
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2 garlic cloves, crushed
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600g (1lb 5 oz) chopped fresh tomato (or use 1½ x 400g/14oz cans)
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2 tbsps tomato paste
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2 tbsps brown sugar
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2 tbsps Dijon mustard
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1 tbsp thyme leaves, roughly chopped
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Thyme sprigs to garnish
METHOD:
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Preheat oven to 180oC (350oF, Gas Mark 4). Mix flour with salt and pepper. Lightly coat steak in the seasoned flour.
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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.
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Place cooked steak in large casserole dish.
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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.
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Add tomatoes, tomato paste, vinegar, mustard and chopped thyme. Bring to the boil and pour over the steak.
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Bake, with the dish covered, for 2 hours so that the meat is tender. Add salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with thyme.
Captain Honey. (2016). The Easy Kitchen. Morningside: Herron Book Distributors.
