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Baked Ziti

Baked Ziti

We do end up with bits and bots left from various dishes and sometimes need to round them up and put them to death  / Good use! A Pasta Bake was an outstanding way of using up various oddments of Cheeses etc. We also had a large pack of Pork mince from a meat deal in the freezer.

Realistically this recipe will make a hearty meal for 6 people. We might be eating it for a few days, but that kind of cool…..

Ingredients ( A very loose list! ):-

1 Onion, chopped
2 Cloves of Garlic. minced
Italian Herbs ( 2 tbsp of Dried Basil, Oregano, Rosemary, a Bay Leaf, Parsley and Thyme), plus Chilli flakes and Garlic Powder
Re-hydrated Wood Ear Mushrooms, finely chopped
250g Gluten free Pasta ( We used Macaroni), boiled and drained so it still has quite some bite
600g Pork Mince
2 tins of Chopped Tomatoes, plus a tin of water
Tomato Puree, a good squirt
Various Cheeses in lumps, grated and Italian style grated hard Cheese for the topping
1/3 of a tub of Soft Cheese
1/3 of a pot of Crème Fresh 
Salt & Pepper
Oil to fry

Method:-

(1) Fry the onions over a low heat and when softened add the Garlic.
(2) Fry for a couple more minutes and then add the Pork mince.
(3) Turn regularly and fry until all the mince is coloured.
(4) Add the chopped Tomatoes, water, Tomato Puree and Herbs and simmer to reduce for 20 minutes.
(5) Season with Salt & Pepper to taste.
(6) In a large oven proof casserole add a layer of the meat sauce to the bottom.
(7) Mix the remaining sauce and drained Pasta.
(8) Build alternate layers on Pasta / Sauce mix, Cheeses, Sauce mix until you reach the final Cheese top layer.
(9) Sprinkle the final layer with grated Cheese and the grated Italian style Grated Cheese.
(10) Place in a pre-heated oven at 180c  for 30 minutes or until the top is browned and crispy.
(11) Garnish with a little fresh Basil and serve.

This was a really good way of using up a few bits and bobs. We will be eating a second portion with Garlic Bread or Wedges this evening.
 

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Smoked Sausage & Bean Casserole, eat well on universal credit

We used dried beans as we have loads in our cupboards. But tinned Beans of any variety will work just as well and also cut down the cooking time. If you use tinned Beans remember to drain them as the Casserole will be very salty otherwise.

Ingredients:-

4 Smoked Sausages ( This we’re £1.49 from Home Bargains. You can get cheaper but we have to avoid Gluten for health reasons.) Roughly chopped
1 Onion, pealed and roughly chopped
2 Carrots, roughly chopped
2 Parsnips, pealed and roughly chopped
1 Stock Pot / Stock Cub. We used Beef, but it’s up to you.
1 Tin of Chopped Tomatoes
2 Tins of Beans of your choosing or 400g of dried beans soaked overnight
2 Cloves of Garlic, roughly chopped.
400g (half a small pack) of Baby Potatoes, halved
Mixed Herbs and a Bay Leave – Optional
Salt & Pepper to season
2 Tsp of Cornflour to thicken

Method:-

(1) Bung everything apart from the Potatoes and Cornflour in the Slow Cooker.
(2) Add enough water to cover everything, pop the lid on and power up at High of 4 hours.
(3) You might like to stir everything gently after a couple of hours.
(4) Add the Potatoes after 4 hours and stir in.
(5) Continue to cook for a further 45 minutes.
(6) Mix the Cornflour with a little water and stir in well.
(7) Cover and cook for a further 15 minutes.

We garnished ours with a bit of Parsley we grow on the balcony. Just to add a bit of colour.

The ingredients cost us almost exactly £4 and we ended up with 4 hearty servings. 2 we demolished last night, the remaining portions have been boxed and are in the freezer. So a pretty hearty and healthy meal for £1 plus a little cooking energy. Not bad going…...

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