How to make creamy Spinach and Mushroom Pasta

I used to make this in a restaurant I used to work in and recently got asked for the recipe, and as it has been remembered from seven years ago it must be a good one!!

So you need:

2 cloves crushed garlic

1 large banana shallot/medium onion finely chopped

6 sliced button mushrooms

A couple of handfuls of baby spinach

200g penne pasta

400g fresh thick cream

Drizzle of olive oil

Salt and pepper

Bring a pan of water to the boil and chuck in your pasta with a good pinch of salt.

While that's cooking in a frying pan lightly fry your onion and garlic until soft, then chuck in your sliced mushrooms.
Cook for a few minutes stirring occasionly then lob in your cream.
Simmer for a few more minutes but keep stirring so the cream doesn't burn.
Turn the heat down and throw in your spinach, cook for 2 more minutes.
Season with saslt and pepper.
Drain your pasta and add it to the sauce.

This serves 2 so if you need someone to share it with give me a shout!!

Tuscan Style Sausage Pasta

So for lunch today we had Tuscan style sausage pasta, here's my way of doing it.

you will need

Pork sausage meat
Diced onion
Cajun spice
Veg stock
Chopped tomato
Sugar
Penne pasta

OK so fry your sausage meat like its mince beef. Chuck in your onions Cajun spice and veg stock. Then your chopped tomatoes season to taste, chopped tomatoes can taste tinny but chucking in a bit of sugar takes that away. Lob in your penne  pasta. Job done! I whacked on some garlic bread with mine. See my previous bread recipe and brush with garlic butter. Enjoy!!

Mexican Beef Pasta

So today's lunch was Mexican Beef Pasta, Basically chilli con carne in a pasta bake. Easy, but things to remember, frying the mince beef takes at least 4 hours if you want to do it properly. This breaks down the beef better and gives a smoother feel, also beef stock and red wine are essential and heres my top tip instead of chilli powder I use Cajun spice this gives the chilli a fuller body and brings heat to he whole tongue not just the tip you get of chilli powder. I sprinkle mine with bashed up nachos just before service for added texture. I'll post the full recipe shortly.

Chicken and Tomato Lasagne

OK so last nights dinner was chicken and tomato lasagne garlic roast new potatoes and side salad. Cooking for children is never easy and when I started writing the menus it was very good food but in my eyes basic, cottage pie and jelly!! When I put this on the menu the first time I could see they were expecting beef lasagne but the feed back was excellent and since then they have been pretty much open to trying anything.

So

Basic filling of diced chicken in a tomato and basil sauce.
White sauce flour butter and milk
And for the pasta

100g plain flour
1 egg
Drizzle of oil
Couple of pinches of salt

Mix the ingredients together til its like bread crumbs then start kneading, its hard work at first but the end result is wonderful, better than shop bought and dare I say a fraction of the price.
 I use this a lot perfect for taliatelle and ravioli.