Rasta Pasta

My son loves Levi Roots' Reggae Reggae sauce so when I saw this "Rasta Pasta" I knew I had to make it for him.  It's really easy to make and it tastes quite fruity.

Ingredients:

2 x Tablespoons oil
1 x Packet Chicken Breasts (about 4 breasts), sliced
1 x Jar Rasta Pasta
1/2 packet Penne Pasta, cooked

Method:

Heat the oil in a pan
Add the chicken and cook for about 6 minutes or until done
Add the jar of Rasta Pasta sauce and cook for a further 5 minutes
Remove from the heat and stir in the already cooked pasta
Serve.

Levi Roots' Rasta Pasta



Add the sauce to the chicken



Penne with Bacon, Tomato & Spinach

I needed something quick and easy to make for my son for dinner so I decided to make this pasta dish.  It's really simple to make and it tastes delicious.

Ingredients:

2 x Tablespoons oil
1 x Onion, diced
1 x Tablespoon Garlic, Crushed
1 x Teaspoon Sugar
2 x Tablespoons mixed herbs
1 x Packet Bacon, sliced
1 x Can Chopped tomatoes
1/2 packet Penne Pasta, cooked
50g Spinached, chopped
Crumbled Feta Cheese

Method:

Fry the bacon for about 4 minutes.
Add the onion, garlic and herbs and cook for a further minute or until soft.
Add the can of Tomatoes.
Add the teaspoon of sugar.
Bring to the boil and then reduce heat.
Allow to simmer for about 5 minutes.
Keep a little of the spinach and feta aside.
Add the already cooked pasta, spinach and feta and stir well.
Remove from heat and transfer to a pyrex dish.
Sprinkle with remaining spinach and feta and serve.
Enjoy!

The Bacon and Tomato base

Ready to serve

Chilli Penne with Bacon and Sausage

I have been cooking lots of pasta dishes recently because my stove is on its way out (I only have the use of one plate and a very temperamental grill) at the moment and pasta is always quick and easy to do.  This recipe is really nice and I used Chilli Penne instead of normal Pasta so that made a nice change. 

Ingredients:

2 x Tablespoons Oil

1 x Packet Chipolata Sausages

½ x Packet Bacon, sliced

1 x Can tomatoes, Chopped

2 x Tablespoons Basil, dried

1 x Teaspoon Sugar

1 x Cup Grated Mozzarella Cheese

½ x Packet Chilli Penne

Salt and Pepper to taste

Method:

Heat the oil in a pan.

Add the sausages and cook until brown.

Add the bacon and cook for a further 2 minutes, stirring continuously.

Add the can of chopped tomatoes, teaspoon of sugar and basil.

Bring to the boil.

Reduce heat and allow to simmer for about 10 minutes.

Remove from heat and pour over the already cooked pasta.

Add the Mozzarella Cheese (keep some aside) and mix well.

Transfer to a baking dish.

Sprinkle with remaining cheese and grill / bake until cheese has melted.

Serve with a side salad.

Please note:

If you can’t get Chilli Penne but like Chilli’s just add a teaspoon of crushed chilli’s to the mixture.

Pastitsio

This is a Greek / generally Middle Eastern baked pasta dish which includes pasta, meat sauce and a béchamel sauce.  Very similar to Lasagna, this is good old fashioned comfort food.  Serve with a side salad and a glass of wine.  Enjoy!

Recipe and Pictures by Amanzi-Fundu

Ingredients:

2 x Tablespoons Oil

1 x Onion, diced

1 x Teaspoon Garlic, diced

2 x Tablespoons Basil, dried

1 x Can chopped tomatoes

1 x Teaspoon Sugar

1 x Pack of Minced Beef

½ packet of Pasta, cooked according to instructions

1 x Liter Béchamel Sauce, prepared in advance

½ x Cup Mozzarella Cheese, grated

Method:

Heat the oil in a pot.

Add the onion, garlic and herbs and cook for 2 – 3 minutes.

Add the mince and cook until brown.

Add the tinned tomatoes and teaspoon of sugar.

Bring to the boil.

Reduce heat and allow to simmer for about 10 – 15 mins.

Remove from heat and the already cooked Pasta into the meat sauce.

Place in a Pyrex or baking dish.

Pour the Béchamel Sauce over the meat and pasta.

Sprinkle with the mozzarella cheese.

Place under the grill for 5 or so mins.

Serve with a side salad and a nice glass of wine.

Meat and Pasta Mixture

Bechamel Sauce

Pour the Bechamel Sauce over the mixture

Sprinkle with cheese and grill

Tuna Pennoni

As some of you may already know, my stove died on me a couple of weeks ago.  I am now down to one plate and a very temperamental grill.  The other 3 plates and the oven no longer work.  I have been told that it would cost £200.00 + to repair which is the cost of a new one.  As I can’t afford to repair or replace it I am going back to basics.  It’s not easy but hey ho. 

This recipe is quick and easy to make and it’s really delicious. 

Recipe and Pictures by Amanzi-Fundu

Ingredients:

2 x Tablespoons oil

½ onion, diced

1 x Teaspoon Garlic, diced

2 x Tablespoons mixed herbs, dried

1 x Can chopped tomatoes

2 x Tablespoons Tomato Puree

1 x Teaspoon Sugar

1 x Can Tuna, drained

½ bag Pasta, already cooked according to packet instructions

Salt and pepper to taste

Method:

Heat the oil in a pot.

Add the onion, garlic and herbs and cook for 2 – 3 minutes.

Add the tinned tomatoes, tomato puree and sugar and bring to the boil.

Reduce heat and add the tuna.

Allow to simmer for about 10 minutes.

Transfer mixture to a bowl and mix in the already cooked pasta.

Allow to stand for 2 – 3 minutes.

Garnish with fresh herbs and serve.

Ndiri Kudya ne Shamwari

My friends, Bernie and Neil, came for dinner on Saturday night. 

I made:

Main Course:

Steak, egg and Chips

For the picanins:

Spaghetti and Meatballs

Dessert:

Lemon Posett and Malva Pudding

Home made bread

Salad

Chimichurri Sauce

Australian Outback Sauce

Steak, Egg and Chips with Chimichurri Sauce and Australian Outback Sauce

Spaghetti and Meatballs for the kids

Lemon Posett and Malva Pudding

Salad

Homemade bread

Chimichurri Sauce

Caribean Mixed Mango Cocktail

I made this for Bernie.

A belated Christmas get together

My friends, Kelly PM, Sandra, Kelly PG and Darren were supposed to come for dinner before Christmas but we had to cancel it because of the snow.  We eventually got around to getting together and I decided to make Spaghetti.  I also made them cross stitch keyrings using the first letter of their names and their favourite colours.  My mom also came so in total there were 9 of us.  The entire meal cost me £12.00 which I thought was really good as it's still a long way till pay day and I am having to watch the pennies. 

Main Course:

Spaghetti with Tomato, Chorizo and Bacon

Dessert:

Chocolate Mousse

Splodge

Home made bread

Home made Salad dressing

Salad



They key rings that I made




Add a chocolate heart




Wrapped up




Ready to garnish




Spaghetti




Chocolate Mousse and slodge




Home made bread - hand made.




Home made bread





Home made salad dressing

 

Oven Baked Cannelloni

I haven’t made Cannelloni since I left Zimbabwe.  I have often looked for it when I do my food shopping at Morrison’s but they never seem to have it.  I managed to find a box when I went to Tesco the other day do I decided to make it for dinner.  It can be a bit time consuming but it is well worth the effort!  If you like Lasagna then you will definitely like this recipe! 



Cannelloni



MINCED BEEF

Ingredients:

2 x Tablespoons oil

1 x Onion, diced

1 x Tablespoon Garlic, diced

2 x Tablespoons herbs, dried

1 x box Passata

1 x Teaspoon Sugar

1 x Packet Minced beef

Method:

Heat the oil in a pot.

Add the onion, garlic and herbs and allow to cook for 2 – 3 minutes.

Add the mince and cook until brown.

Add the box of Passata and cook for about 5 mins on a high heat.

Add the teaspoon of sugar.

Reduce heat and allow to simmer for about 10 – 15 mins.

Season according to taste.

Take off heat and allow to cool.

Minced beef

BECHAMEL SAUCE

Ingredients: 

3 x Tablespoons butter, unsalted

3 x Tablespoons, Flour

½ Litre Milk

Method:

Melt the butter in a pot and add the butter.

Stir continuously and allow to cook for about 2 – 3 minutes.

Add the milk slowly and continue to stir.

Bring to the boil and then reduce heat – be careful not to burn it.

It should be lovely and thick.

Bechamel Sauce

Assemble the Cannelloni

Hold a Cannelloni tube in one hand.

Ensure that the bottom of the tube is covered or the filling will fall out.

Scoop teaspoons of mince into the tubes (5 x teaspoons should fill one tube)

Place in a baking tray side by side.

Pour the Béchamel Sauce over the mixture and sprinkle Mozzarella cheese over the top.

Bake for 15/20 mins or until done.

Serve with a side green salad.

Add the cheese and pop it in the oven!

Baked Penne with Meatballs, Mozarella and Marinara Sauce

I am a big fan of “Come Dine With Me” and watch it every chance I get.  On the Manchester South episode an Italian Man called Gio cooked a dish very similar to this one.  I looked for the recipe online but wasn’t able to find it so I recreated it from memory. 

Ingredients:

1 x bag Penne Pasta, cooked and drained
20 x Meatballs, already prepared

1 x Teaspoon Garlic, chopped

2 x Teaspoons Mixed Herbs, Dried

1 x Teaspoon Sugar

3 x Tablespoons Oil

1 x Box Passata (Italian sieved Tomatoes)

1 x Ball Mozzarella, chopped

6 x Slices Pepperoni, Sliced into 4

6 x Tablespoons Crème Fraiche

Method:

For the Marinara Sauce:

Heat the oil, add the onion and gently fry for 5 mins.

Add the garlic and herbs.

Add the box of Passata.

Bring to the boil then reduce heat.

Add the teaspoon of sugar.

Allow to simmer.

Assemble the dish:

Place the cooked and drained pasta into a casserole dish.

Place the meatballs in amongst the pasta (randomly)

Place the mozzarella and pepperoni in (randomly)

Top with dollops of crème Fraiche.

Pour the Marinara sauce over the pasta.

Sprinkle with cheese.

Bake for 20 mins.

Chicken, Chocolate and Special Friends.

I invited my friends, Kelly PM, Sandra, Kelly PG, Darren and Angie over for dinner.  As I was working during the day I decided to make things that were quick and easy.  We had:

• Chicken Casserole and Rice
• Macaronni and Cheese (for the kids)
• Chicken Salad (for those of us watching what we eat)
• White and Brown chocolate brownies with ice cream
• Home made bread
• Garlic bread
• Salad - minus the cucumber.

Marinara Meatballs

Marinara sauce (Italian for mariner's sauce) is an Italian red sauce usually made with tomatoes, onions, garlic, herbs and spices. 


Being half Italian, my children and I love pasta.  In this recipe, I have added meatballs to my Marinara Sauce and combined it with pasta. 

Marinara Sauce


 Ingredients: 

1 Tablespoon olive oil

1 large onion, diced

5 garlic cloves, minced

2 teaspoons Italian seasoning

2 (28 oz) box passata

2 tbsp. chopped fresh parsley or basil (or both)

Method:

1.     Sauté the onions in olive oil until soft, about 7 minutes.

2.     Add the garlic and sauté for another 1-2 minutes.

3.     Add the Italian seasoning and cook for another minute.

4.     Add the passata, the parsley and/or basil. Let simmer for about 45 mins.

5.     When finished simmering, puree until smooth - if desired.

Meatballs

Ingredients:

1 x pack mince meat

1 x onion, finely chopped

1 x teaspoon garlic, crushed

1 x tablespoon mixed herbs, dried

3 x tablespoons breadcrumbs

2 x eggs, beaten

Flour

Oil

Method:

In a bowl mix the mince meat, onion, garlic, herbs and bread crumbs.

Add the eggs

Form the mixture into round balls.

Dust with flour

Fry the meatballs in hot oil until brown.

Tips:

·         For the Marinara Meatball recipe, I didn’t fry them.  I simply popped them in the tomato sauce and let them cook for 20 mins.

·         You can add different things to the meatballs – i.e.: chilli

·         Ensure the meatballs are formed into tight balls or they will fall apart

·         Ensure you use hot oil when frying or they will fall apart

Smoked Salmon Spaghetti

Ingredients:
Smoked Salmon, shredded
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 tub creme fraice
Spaghetti, cooked according to packet instructions.

Method:
Melt the butter in a pot.
Add the creme fraiche and gently simmer (do not boil)
Add the smoked salmon.
Stir well and season according to taste.
Add sauce to the spaghetti and serve.