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    Monday, April 08, 2024

    Waste Not Want Not

     Cooking for one person has it s challenges but I am a Leftover Queen and I hate waste
    Here's a little delight That was simple and delicious 

    I had 250 gms mince in the fridge and turned that into a bolognaise sauce

    Very simple 

    Olive oil

    1/2 red onion chopped 

    1 stick celery finely chopped

    1/2 carrot finely hopped 

    Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper 

    Beef stock


    In a frying pan heat to medium heat

    Add 1 tbs olive oil

    Add mince and fry till brown

    Remove and set aside

    In the same pan 

    Add a little more oil

    Add onions sauce till soft

    Add other vege

    Season with S&P

    When soft

    Add mince back to the pan and add 

    Enough beef stock just to cover and simmer for about 15 -20 mis


    Meanwhile in a large pot of boiling salted water

    Add a cup of pasta (I used Conchiglee, which look like little ears )

    Cook for about 8-10 mins till al dente

    Drain, toss in a little oil 

    I like to add the sauce to the pasta before serving so that every little ear

    Is covered in sauce

    Serve covered with some grated Parmesan 

    Sometimes a little chopped parsley for colour 


    Of course there was quite a lot left over so I stored that in the freezer 

    Last night I had lamb chops with mashed potatoes and peas

    Of course again leftovers


    Now time to be a little creative 

    Cottage Pie me thinks


    I removed the left over bolognaise from the freezer

    I wanted to make it a bit more exciting

    So I made a small bechamel sauce 


    2 tbs butter

    1/2 red onion finely chopped

    2 tbs flour

    Sea salt and white pepper 

    Milk 




    Melt the butter in a pot and add the onion 

    Sauté till soft 

    Season with Sea Salt & ground white pepper 

    Add flour put back on the heat and gently heat till it forms a roux


    Start adding enough milk a bit at the time till you get the consistency you want


    Add to the mashed vege

    Put aside


    To assemble

    Grease  some ramekins, this amount made 3 dinners


    Add the mince mixture to the ramekin

    Cover with the potato mixture and 

    Voila, ready to go into the oven or freezer 



    When ready to cook

    Thaw and heat oven to 180C

    Grate some cheese on top

    And cook for about 20-30 mins till bubbling 




    Delicious



    😋 





















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