Thursday, January 29, 2009

Mather Street Tuna Pasta

The boys helped me create this recipe when we lived at Mather Street. T was only 4 but he chose what veges to add, and the result was delish.


~Mather Street Tuna Pasta~
6 single handfuls dry spiral pasta (can substitute cous cous)
4 large broccoli florets, cut small
1/2 large sweet potato, cubed into 1cm squares (sustitute pumpkin/zucchini/squash)
1 large tin tuna in oil
2 lemons, juiced and zested
2 finely sliced scallions
handful fresh parsley, finely chopped
black pepper
(parmesan to serve)

Cook pasta and drain cooking water into large serving bowl to warm the bowl.

Steam the veges, drain oil from tuna, then combine all ingredients in the (empty) serving bowl and toss well.

Serve with plenty of grated parmesan.

Roast Tomato & Chickpea Salad

This recipe is very quick, and at the height of summer, when tomatoes and basil are at their peak, it's delicious. It's a great side dish, or a quick main with some extra veges and heavy bread to serve.


~Roast Tomato & Chickpea Salad~
2 punnets cherry tomatoes, or equivalent other tomatoes
1 tin chickpeas, drained
150g fetta
large handful basil, torn

Cut tomatoes in half (or quarters if large tomatoes) and roast until they collapse.

Mix through chickpeas, fetta and basil and serve while warm.

Friday, January 9, 2009

Grandma's Tomato Sauce

~Grandma's Tomato Sauce~

10lb tomatoes
2 large onions
4 large unpeeled green apples
2lb white sugar
2 cups brown vinegar
5 dessert spoons salt
1 small tsp cayenne (about 1/2 tsp for mild, 1 tsp for bitey)
1 tsp ground cloves

~Cut tomatoes, onions and cored apples into chunks.
~Place all ingredients in a large pot (this quantity is about 7-8L at the start and reduces to around 4L) and bring to the boil. Simmer until sufficiently reduced (ie as thick as you like).
~Use a stick blender to puree while hot, or cool and puree in blender/FP/Moulinex. Take the seeds and skins out with a seive if you like, but we don't.
~Reboil for 10 minutes, sterilise all your bottles and equipment, then bottle, seal and cool.

Makes around 4L and will keep in the pantry for a year or more. Refridgerate after opening.

This is great for making the most of the summer tomato glut. Our onions have come in around now too, but we bought the apples.