Dinner

I can't remember where I stumbled accross this recipe for meatballs. But it works a charm. Soft fluffy meatballs that can be modified into many dishes. I've meat spaggetti meatballs, morrocan madras curry even transformed them into burger patties.

500g mince (generally I go for beef, but could be lamb or goat)

The ingredient base is too easy! Which makes a great base to get creative with. For Spaggetti meatballs adding parmasan into the mix works a treat!

Get yourself two small mixing bowls and one large. Measure out the breadcrumbs first while the measurer is still dry. Place in a small mixing bowl then measure out the milk and place in the same container. Giving the milk and breadcrumbs time to soak in helps them bind the other ingredients together later.

In the other small mixing bowl crack an egg into it and whisky with a fork... or a whisk.

Now dice an onion put it in the large bowl with the mince. The milk and bread crumbs should have soaked in. Combine all the ingredients together now. With clean hands start smushing. It'll take a few minutes of smushing until its all well combined. If you have kids or other yongsters about this is a great time to get them involved. Getting kids involved in kitchen takes is a great way to get them interested in food and cooking. Plus its a lot of fun getting your hands dirty.

Grab a portion (I go for a heaped tablespoons worth) between the plams of your hands and roll is around to form little sculpted balls. If you're making burger patties make larger portions then flatten out on the bench by pushing down, this will make nice disks.

You can fry these on a grill. Bake them in the over. Or place whole in a sauce to simmer away. They're so well combined they don't break apart even if they're submerged in a deliscious tomatoe sauce or stock.

Basic Meatballs

This was a delicious alternative to a chicken or bacon based pasta. It still has the same depth. 

Fettuccine (or whatever pasta you prefer)

Bring a large pot of water to the boil for the pasta. Roughly chop the leak, mushrroms and garlic, saute with butter on a low heat in a medium sized pot.  When they start breaking down add the cream and salt and pepper to taste. If you put the pasta on first at this point they should be nearly cooked, you can add a few table spoons of the pasta water to the leak mushroom mixture. The water has a lot of starch from the pasta and as the water reduces it can thicken the mixture. Lastly put in some parmesan cheese to taste.

You can reduce the heat of the sauce if you're wating for the pasta to cook. When the pasta has cooked drain then add to the sauce. Through in the spinach and use some tongs or spoon to turn all the contents together. The spinach will wilt and the pasta will coat in all the delicious sauce.

Serve in a bowl top with sundried tomatoes and some flakes of parmesan.

I didn't add any freash herbs but some parsley or chives would have worked well taking the dish to the next level.

Leak & Mushroom Creamy Pasta

Leak & Potato Soup

Chop onions garlic and capiscum. Doesn't really matter how thick. Put some olive oil in pan and bring it up to a medium heat. Add onion and garlic for a few mintues till transparent. Just trying to take the picante out of the onion and garlic.

Add all the spices and cook for hmmm maybe 2 minutes. It really depends how hot the pan is, if it's super hot maybe a minute will do.

Finally add the capsicum and tomatoe. Cook out the acidity from the tomatoes. Once it's cooked maybe 10min or so pop in the eggs and goats cheese or any cheese you have on hand.

Shakshuka

I'm not really sure what goes in an authentic dahl (currently at least). But this ticks so many boxes. Cheap, tasty, quick to prepare. And vegetarian with a tonne of tasty vegetables.

Cook off the onions for a few minutes. Chuck all the spices in to cook them out a little. Add the stock and the rest of the vegetables then let it cook out for maybe an hour. Super simple.

Lentil Curry Dahl Thing

I've been tring more vegeterain meals recently after watching a documentary called The Game Changers.

Its about pro atheletes reporting higher stamina and energy. With a race on the horizon I thought I'd give it a shot to see if it influences me.

Side of chips or salad depending how indulgent you feel.

Mushroom Burgers

This is a delicious recipe to put in the slow cooker. Brown the duck breast in a pan before adding to the slow cooker. Chop up the other ingredients and pop in. Cook on low for 8 hours.

Slow cook duck curry

In a large bowl, combine the flour and salt.

Make a well in the center of the flour mixture, and add the eggs and olive oil.

Using a fork or your fingers, gently incorporate the flour into the eggs until a rough dough forms.

Add 1 tablespoon of water at a time if the dough is too dry, until it becomes smooth and slightly elastic.

Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 5-7 minutes, or until smooth and pliable.

Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and let it rest in the fridge for 30 minutes to relax the gluten.

After resting, roll out the dough on a floured surface to your desired thickness.

Slice or shape the dough as needed for your recipe. 