It is summer school holidays and our friend, La Nina, is having her second go 'round creating less havoc than last season but still being a tedious pain. While we should be sweltering under a relentless sun we have been instead grumbling in various shades of damp and grey. The kids are bored. They are spending too much time watching television and are becoming nocturnal.
But the sun is out today and it promises to be warm. The question is, have the habits of the past three weeks become too entrenched? Can I succeed in getting them off the couch and out in the sunshine? Here's hoping.
Tonight I plan to just have a simple pasta dinner. It is one of the kids favourites. We just call it Spaghetti in creamy bacon sauce. While I cook up a packet of spaghetti in a large pot I gently saute some chopped spring onions, add some chopped bacon and saute until brown, throw in some sliced mushrooms and semi dried tomatoes. I continue sauteing until the mushrooms are lightly browned then stir in a couple of tablespoons of sun-dried tomato pesto. Finally, I add 300ml of cream and gentle heat through. By this time the spaghetti is just about ready to drain and return to the pot with a splash of olive oil. Pour the sauce over, give it a stir and serve with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley.
We are having one of those pivotal moments in our house today. Our teenage son is being permitted to do something for the first time which is just another step in his path to independence. It is something that he has been trying to get permission to do for some time now and which his father is still against but I have relented on. It is nothing major. It just involves catching a train with his mates to the movies in a large regional centre which happens to be located on the fringe of an area known for bad behaviour among its youth population. His father grew up in a similar area and his attitude is understandable. He is our eldest and breaking these boundaries will always be more difficult for him than for his younger siblings, I realise. I experienced the same as the eldest in my family. It means I am a little pre-occupied today and may not get everything done that I intend. I'll need to get dinner on a bit early today and I think it will be an old standby, Spaghetti Bolognaise. Mine is fairly simple. I don't use mushrooms or bacon or red wine. I also don't use water or thickeners. The flavour comes from caramelising the vegetables at the beginning and simmering the dish slowly and gently allowing the flavour to develop as the liquid reduces and thickens. It is one meal that every member of our household likes. I'll often cook a double quantity and freeze half for another day.
Spaghetti Bolognaise
1 tablespoon olive oil 1 brown onion chopped fine 1 carrot, peefed and grated 1 clove garlic, peeled and chopped very fine 500g minced beef 1 tablespoon paprika 1 400g tin chopped tomatoes pinch salt pich dried mixed herbs 1 tablespoon tomato paste
In a medium size saucepan heat oil gently over medium heat. Add onion, carrot & tomato and cook gently until soft and browned slightly. Increase heat and add mince. Cook while stirring constantly to break up lumps and brown through. Add paprika and cook for a few minutes then add tinned tomatoes, salt and herbs. Reduce heat to a low simmer, cover pan and simmer for about 45 minutes. Remove lid, add tomato paste and cook for a further 15 minutes uncovered until sauce is thick and rich in colour. Serve with spaghetti, parmesan cheese, salad and crusty bread.
I found this interesting clip on the background to spaghetti and the cooking styles of Bologna. The viewpoint is an extremely traditional one and gives a little insight into the differences between people from different regions of Italy.
