Another Winter Warmer

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Have this one for dinner the night before and keep some for the kid’s thermos the next day.  You don’t have to use rigatoni, choose your favourite pasta, my kids love spiral.  Rigatoni can be a bit of a mouthful for the littlies.  You could also freeze some in lunch-sized portions for those days when you have no idea what to pack.  Muffin trays are great for this, they seem to hold just the right amount.  Just defrost, heat,  stir through your pasta(I’m not a fan of frozen pasta), and pop it into the thermos.  Don’t forget to include a spoon or one of those blunt little kiddie forks.  I’m going to be checking-out some great little thermos bowls this week that have a hidey-hole in the lid for a fork and spoon.  Genius!  I’ll let you know how they go.

Rigatoni Al Ragu

Ingredients:

1 Onion, finely diced

1 Medium carrot, finely diced

1 Celery stalk, finely diced

1 Clove Garlic, finely sliced

2 Tbl Butter

3 Tbl Olive Oil

500g Mince (I used beef, but you can use a combination of veal and pork  if you like)

4 Slices Proscuitto, finely chopped (I used Bacon)

3 Tbl Tomato Paste

1 Cup Dry White Wine

1 Cup Milk

400g Tin Diced Tomatoes

1 Cup Beef Stock

500g Dried Rigatoni or pasta of your choice

Parmesan and Parsley to serve

Directions:

In a large pan, melt your butter and olive oil, then add your onion, carrot, celery and garlic and cook until the onions are translucent.

Add proscuitto or bacon and stir until cooked.

Add your mince and brown well.

Add tomato paste and stir to combine and cook for about 1 minute.

Add white wine, milk, tomatoes and stock.  Bring to a boil, then turn down to a medium heat and cook for approx. 45 minutes until the sauce reduces and thickens.

While this is bubbling away, cook your rigatoni, being careful not to over-cook, we don’t want mushy pasta.  Drain well.

When your sauce has thickened, add the rigatoni and stir to combine.

Serve garnished with grated or shaved parmesan cheese.

Refrigerate or freeze left-overs to be used in the thermos for the kid’s lunches.

Source:  http://www.frillsinthehills.com