I am tired of my cooking….

I don’t think I have ever cooked so often. Number One Husband knows that I married him for better or for worse but not for breakfast.  Normally not for lunch either.  This meal is known in our house as “scrabble”.  Roughly speaking, open the fridge door, stand and gaze at the contents, assemble a meal from what is there, no cooking required: yogurt, cheese, salad and sandwiches figure often.

Yesterday I needed to eat something cooked by someone else. Very luckily we live near an excellent fish restaurant and as Deliveroo is working we had fish and chips. Please add a big tip if you are using Deliveroo – because they are delivering the food and standing back from the doorstep, people are not tipping.

Back to more comfort food: this was a favourite when our children were young – it is simple, easy to make, ingredients mostly in the store cupboard or freezer and most children love pasta. The quantities are approximate.  The cheddar slices are unusual but work very well 

Macaroni and beef

1 tab oil                                  

2 medium onions, chopped

1 garlic clove 

400 g tinned tomatoes

2 tab tomato puree

1 teas paprika

½ teas each oregano and basil  

500 g minced beef

75 g cheddar cheese slices

200 g cooked macaroni (about 75g raw)

(seasoning to taste – other herbs or more or less)

Heat oven to 180°C.  Fry onions and garlic until soft, add beef and fry for five minutes until just coloured.  Add all the other ingredients except for the cheese and bring to the boil. Place in a deep casserole and cover with the cheese slices.  Bake for 20 minutes.  

It freezes and reheats well so if there is anything left over it can be portioned out and frozen. Reheat very thoroughly. We do the same with leftover pasta and meat sauce – enough for one or two portions at a time.  Best with fusilli, penne etc – not spaghetti.