Spicy Bacon Pasta

 

There is nothing better than a bowlful of pasta.

This is my new, absolute favourite pasta dinner. It is quick, tasty and uses a lot of kitchen staples which I always seem to have on hand. It is a perfect mid-week dinner that I probably make once a week. It's a take on amatriciana but it's got so many changes to that classic that I can't call it that in good faith.

The only slightly niche ingredient is nduja which, if you frequent hipster pizza establishments you'll probably have come across before. It's a very spicy Italian pork paste that has basically unlimited uses. It's fabulous mixed into a sauce like this where it confers a warmth. It's AMAZING in a grilled cheese sandwich where the spiciness really comes through. You can also just spread it on a cracker. No rules.

I get mine from the butcher but I have seen it in supermarkets too. Try it. Once I started using it, I couldn't imagine life without it. I basically have to have it in the fridge at all times.

Serves 2 generously, I usually add a little more pasta and make an extra portion for lunch the next day

Eggy Avocado with Bacon Salsa

I am balls-deep in this “healthy eating” malarkey now. And I’m enjoying avocados a lot.

A LOT.

Before this, I only ate them in the form of sides for Mexican food. And while they are a FINE addition to any Mexican spread, they are so much more.  Putting eggs in avocados feels like such an obvious combination. I mean, the avocados even have a little egg-indentation, all ready to go!

This could make a perfect breakfast on its own. And by on its own, I clearly mean with the addition of toast. I went with it for dinner and had some smoked mackerel on the side. The strong smoky fish was a beautiful accompaniment to the tangy salsa, and eggy avocado goes with everything.

Bacon Spaghetti

This is one from a few weeks ago, before I started a ludicrous detox which involves no carbs and no dairy. This is difficult and I am struggling because I love carbs. And seriously, is there anything more satisfying than twirling a fork around a bowl of tomato-y/cheesy/bacon-y pasta? I don’t really think I’ve found it yet. It's definitely not cauliflower rice.

Basically this is another one of  my “let’s make a ready meal at home.” I love Marks and Spencer, and when I am doing multiple long shifts in work their microwave meals can be a godsend. I recently discovered their “bacon bucatini” which basically tastes like a grown up version of the Heinz Bolognese in a can. I think you can tell from that sentence that my childhood lunches were awesome.

Anyway, I wanted to recreate this rich, meaty, flavourful sauce at home. So, I had a crack at it, and I think I did. And it’s pretty damn good! It’s really quick as well, so I’d recommend it when you don’t want to go full Bolognese, but still want the pasta experience.

Chicken Rough Puff Pie

Ooooh, I love a good savoury pie.

The nights are getting longer and colder, and for me that means one thing: comfort food. There is nothing more comforting than a big old pie, fresh from the oven, chock full of meats and veggies.  For me, making and then eating this is my perfect way to spend an autumnal weekend evening.

And I might just be a total weirdo, but I find making pastry comforting too. And I’ve never made rough puff before, but I have been inspired by the Great British Bakeoff where it seemed to make a lot of appearances! And I can see why – it is quick, light, flavourful and crispy, and slightly less labour intensive than it’s “non rough” counterpart. This is nicer than the M&S equivalent, a fact which makes me stupidly happy.

Pea and Bacon Oven Baked Risotto

Yum yum yum. There is nothing more comforting than a bowl full of rice

Ooooh, a risotto you put in the oven? That you don’t have to hover over, stirring and staring constantly?

It exists! I found it! And it is delicious!

This is for all the times you wanted to make a risotto mid-week but thought that that meant there was no chance of dinner getting on the table before bedtime.. Fry, stir, pour, cover, bake, done! This is my kind of meal, filling and flavourful and no-faff. There will be plenty of food here for three, or two with generous leftovers for the next days lunch!

Truth time: pretty much the main reason I like cooking peas is because I, without fail, play the Peter Kay “they don’t do peas.. has thou nowt moist?!” bit in my head anytime I think about peas.

Serves 2 with leftovers!

Creamy Bacon Pasta with Green Bits

This is one of my favourite midweek dinners, it takes a few minutes to whip up, uses ingredients I always have hanging around, and tastes delicious! We had it after a quick gym session, protein BRAH, and it was perfect. I feel like Jamie Oliver with my 10 minute supper.

It is infinitely adaptable for whatever you’ve got in the fridge. I really like it with leek and peas, but you could probably stir in some spinach or green beans instead of the peas. I just love peas. You may not.

PEAS

Leek and Bacon Risotto

Risotto with an Irish flair.

I love rice. Rice is awesome. I have always had a soft spot for risotto, but have been kind of afraid to tackle it, because I was never sure how it was meant to turn out. I recently had some risotto in a restaurant and now I am an expert. The rice is supposed to have a bit of a bite, to retain some firmness without being hard or crunchy.

A whole meal made of rice awaits you, enjoy.

Hungover Breakfast (Pancakes and Bacon)

Not the biggest stack in the world, but enjoyable nonetheless.

So, I woke up this morning feeling rotten, post staff party. I must have caught something..

Ahem. The only thing that got me out of bed was the thought of making something greasy and carbohydrate-loaded. I made this in a slightly zombie-like state, and it turned out to be quite restorative. It's the healing power of bacon!