Happy New Year!

My first blog of the New Year, indeed my first blog on my sparkling new laptop. My last one has been handed over to my children who I thought would appreciate it but sadly think that it's slow. 3 years old in tech terms is what, 75 in human years?

I was a very lucky recipient of a gorgeous purple kitchenaid artisan mixer for Christmas and I feel I must do it justice but keeping up with my blog and documenting all the wonderful successes (or not!) that it will give me (fingers x'd).

So far I have made some scrummy cakes with it, notably a divine lemon drizzle cake and more recently a carrot and walnut cake. My plan for future blogs is to include the recipes I use and also pictures as I go. Not sure I will always remember but that is at least the idea.

Tonight I plan on making a spaghetti bolognaise. I'm making this because a) I can make it in my sleep b) I hate it c) I'm allergic to tomatoes d) I'm having dinner with friends and therefore will not be tempted to pick at it!

I use a pretty basic recipe because it's my children's favourite dish and also because that way it's a very quick to make.

Spaghetti Bolognaise - feeds 6 (or more given my children are prone to 2nd's!)

500g spaghetti - dried or fresh
800g mince beef steak
2 medium brown onions - sliced
2 tins of chopped plum tomatoes
An oxo cube
A pinch or 2 of mixed herbs or use a fresh mix of basil/mint/oregano
2 cloves of crushed garlic
2 carrots diced
Splash of red wine
A spoonful of tomato puree
A sprinkling of parmesan if you fancy

Firstly, stick on a big pan of slightly salted water. Bring to the boil.

While the water is coming to the boil put the mince into a pan and add the sliced onion. Cook until browned. Drain off any remaining fat.

Add the 2 tins of chopped tomatoes and the spoonful of tomato puree. Give it a stir and pop in the carrots, garlic and oxo cube.

By now the water should be boiling, pop in the spaghetti and give a quick swirl so it doesn't stick.

Return to the pan of bologanise and add a splash of red wine and then the herbs. By the time the spaghetti has cooked (approx 10/15 mins) the sauce should be ready too.

Plate up and sprinkle on some parmesan.

Enjoy with some crusty bread :)

This is an easy peasy recipe, it can be jazzed up with some diced pancetta or kidney for a more adult taste but I've yet to find children who don't adore this for a quick supper.