Although every family is different, there are many recipes that most families enjoy. Here are some of the favourite ones that are very easy to prepare yet are a little more sophisticated than beans on toast and fish fingers (though we like those too).
Spaghetti Bolognese
Everybody likes Spaghetti Bolognese, or “Spag Bol” as it is colloquially called. This simple Italian meal can be rustled up in practically no time.
All you need to do is heat a little oil in a pan, add a finely chopped onion and fry for five minutes, add a touch of garlic, then stir in a packet of (preferably lean) minced beef. Add a spoonful of tomato puree, a glass of red wine, a few mushrooms, half a tin of chopped tomatoes, and a splash of Worcester sauce. Bring it all to the boil and simmer for at least 20 minutes.
For the spaghetti, just boil in water according to the time stated on the packet, add it to the sauce, and serve. Add a little grated parmesan for that authentic Italian taste.
Sausage and Mash
Now that winter is on its way, what could be more comforting than a plate of bangers and mash? There is nothing boring about it especially as nowadays you can get a huge variety of different flavoured sausages, for instance sausages with leaks, sausages with Bramley apples, and even sausages with cider.
The key to good mash is to use good potatoes, and floury ones such as Maris Piper are perfect. Just peel them, dice them and boil them until tender, about 25 minutes. Mash the potatoes with a little milk, a little butter and plenty of pepper.
While the potatoes are boiling fry or grill the sausages with a little onion for around 20 minutes. We like to cook them in the oven. You can make your own gravy from what is left after cooking the sausages or you can do as we do and cheat by using caramelised onion Bisto grave; simply delicious.
Spoon out the mash, nestle in the sausages, and serve with oodles of piping hot onion gravy.
Shepherd’s Pie
Shepherd’s Pie is another family favourite winter warmer. It tastes great and is very easy to prepare. This one is made with lamb, and so is proper shepherd’s pie; some people use beef but that is really cottage pie. However both are very good; if you prefer beef, then substitute beef mince for the lamb; everything else is the same.
First make mashed potatoes following the instructions given above under sausage and mash.
While the potatoes are boiling heat a little oil in a heavy pan and add a packet of minced lamb and cook until it is gently browned then remove from the pan. Fry a chopped onion, a little garlic and some celery then add a touch of chili powder, a spoonful of tomato puree and a little flower. Dissolve a lamb stock cube (or beef stock cube) in half a pint of water to make a stack and add it to the mix. Bring to the boil and simmer for 30 to 40 minutes.
Tip the mixture into an oven proof dish and spoon over the mashed potato then grill it until the potatoes turn golden brown. You might like to add a little cheese to the top for the last few minutes of cooking.
Serve on hot plates with some vegetables. Note that this is a meal that you can prepare in advance and freeze to bring out when you need it. Why not make two of them at the same time; eat one now and freeze one for later. Enjoy these meal ideas from Cotswold Fayre
