Meatballs recipe

500g of quality beef mince 

1 large white onion

30g Quaker oats

Lots of basil

parmesan cheese

Red wine

quality passata

1 whole egg

1) in a large bowl combine the beef mince, chopped basil, Quaker oats and egg. Mix with your hands until all ingredients are combined

2) in a large pan, add about 30ml of water in preparation for your tomato sauce and simmer, five minutes later add passata and red wine with handful of chopped basil, and crushed garlic plus lots of salt and pepper, then put lid on top

3) make mixture into small balls and then shallow fry until nicely browned. Meanwhile, preheat oven and a dish to 190 degrees.

4) once your meatballs have seared and browned; add to the oven dish and allow them to heat through for about 15-20 minutes

5) after 10 minutes; your sauce is going to be ready so take off medium heat to a low heat

6) add your meatballs to the tomato mixture for 5 minutes adding more salt, pepper and basil. Put the lid on top.

7) serve with Parmesan and glass of red.

When I’m in a rush and short of ideas in the kitchen, pasta is normally one of my typical go to recipes. I’ve cooked a variety of pasta dishes many times over the years, and I think I’ve found my perfect way of cooking bolognese.

Minced beef pasta bolognese with red wine, onion, red peppers, garlic and basil

300g of good quality beef/steak mince
Passata/canned tomatoes
half a finely chopped onion
half a finely chopped red pepper
one leek, cut into thin pieces
10 basil leaves, cut into small pieces
1 garlic clove, crushed
handful of black olives
Grated parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper for taste
Good quality pasta
Dashing of olive oil
1.5 glass of red wine

1) In a pan add about 3 litres of water when the liquid is boiling
2) In a second pan, add olive oil, leave for about 1 minute
3) Add crushed garlic and red pepper, onions
4) Cook until lightly golden, add half glass of red wine
5) Cook through, add steak/beef mince
6) When the mince starts to brown, add a handful of chopped basil and olives
7) Then add your passata or your tinned tomatoes
8) Cook through and add your salt and pepper for taste, as well as the remainder of the red wine
9) Put the lid on the pan and put on a low heat, to simmer, for about 20 minutes
10) Enjoy! Serve with basil leaves and parmesan on top.

It’s a very simple dish but something you can rustle up whenever you’re short of ideas.