Cubed Beef Chilli Stew

Good quality cubed beef from the local Co-op. Browned in olive oil for twenty minutes. After that, I added diced leek, a quarter of a yellow pepper, two diced green finger chillies, and three cloves of garlic. Cooked for twenty minutes, with frequent stirring.

Boiling water was added (about 100mls), and then a standard tin of plum tomatoes. The tomatoes were diced with a spatula. Simmered under glass for an hour.

After that I added beef stock (actually a beef Oxo cube), and some diced fresh basil leaves. Allowed to simmer for another fifteen minutes.

Served with boiled potatoes, cooked in salted water for twenty minutes.

Cubed Beef Chilli, with Wheat Free Pasta

Good quality cubed beef from the local Co-op. Browned in olive oil for twenty minutes. After that, I added diced leek, a quarter of a yellow pepper, two diced green finger chillies, and three cloves of garlic. Cooked for twenty minutes, with frequent stirring.

Boiling water was added (about 100mls), and then a standard tin of plum tomatoes. The tomatoes were diced with a spatula. Simmered under glass for an hour.

After that I added beef stock (actually a beef Oxo cube), and some diced fresh basil leaves. Allowed to simmer for another fifteen minutes.

The pasta was cooked for fifteen minutes under glass (with salt and a drizzle of olive oil), with frequent stirring.

The beef chilli was decanted to a pasta bowl, and the (drained) pasta was laid on top. Dressed with a little dried oregano.  Delicious!

Chicken Pasta Bake

A simple pasta bake with chicken, bacon, tomato and cheese.

First I fried some diced smoked bacon in some olive oil, at a medium heat, until it became a little crispy. I removed the bacon from the pan to a dish, and then added diced onion (two) and tomato (one 400g can) to the pot. I used a spatula to break up the integrity of the plum tomatoes, added a quarter of a pint of boiling water, and then allowed the sauce to simmer under glass, while I prepared the chicken.

I used two previously roasted chicken drumsticks from the fridge, and cut off the meat.. I then added a teaspoonful of sugar to the pan, plus a dessert spoonful of vinegar. I'd saved some of the jelly from the previous chicken roast (the fat drained off beforehand), and added that along with some chicken stock.

 Stir together thoroughly, then add the chicken and the bacon. Again, stir in thoroughly.  Add a fresh and diced red chilli, and some lemon juice. Add 50g of grated cheese, and melt it into the sauce. Allow to simmer under glass at a low heat for 40 minutes or so. Add 100g of dried wheat free pasta, and cook for another fifteen minutes.

Decant into a tray or dish, and cover in 75g of grated or thinly sliced cheddar cheese. Cook in the oven at 180 deg C until browned (somewhere between fifteen and twenty five minutes, but watch it carefully)

Serve piping hot!

Chicken Cacciatura

A simple Italian dish with tinned tomatoes, chicken and bacon.

First I fried some diced smoked bacon in some olive oil, at a medium heat, until it became a little crispy. I removed the bacon from the pan to a dish, and then added diced onion (two) and tomato (one 400g can) to the pot. I used a spatula to break up the integrity of the plum tomatoes, added a quarter of a pint of boiling water, and then allowed the sauce to simmer under glass, while I prepared the chicken.

I used two previously roasted chicken drumsticks from the fridge, and cut off the meat. That took about five minutes. I then added a teaspoonful of sugar to the pan, plus a dessert spoonful of vinegar. I'd saved some of the jelly from the previous chicken roast (the fat drained off beforehand), and added that along with some chicken stock.

You can add herbs at this stage if you like. I added some dried rosemary. Stir together thoroughly, then add the chicken and the bacon. Again, stir in thoroughly. Allow to simmer under glass at a low heat for 40 minutes or so.

During this time I prepared some semi-skinned potato as an accompaniment. Before serving I added another pinch of dried Rosemary. A  dish without peer! Absolutely delicious!

The dish can be served with pasta or rice if you prefer.

Chilli Beef Tortillas

Ingredients are: lean beef mince (ground beef) , chopped onion, chopped yellow pepper, beef stock, paprika, ground black pepper, 3 small chillies, sliced garlic, chopped plum tomatoes, and fines herbes.

Brown the beef in a saute pan at a moderate heat, and then add the other ingredients - the herbs and beef stock last. Simmer until the beef is tender. Roll the filling into two soft tortilla wraps, and serve with yoghurt and a sprinkling of smoked paprika.

Chilli Beef Tortillas