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Rice and Pasta

Rice and Pasta

Recipe Listing

Chilli Pasta

Recipes

Ingredients

Serves 6

250g pasta pieces (buccatini, penne, rigatoni, conchiglie, etc)
1 425g can tinned tomatoes
2 tsp concentrated tomato paste
1 medium onion
1 tsp chilli sauce or chopped fresh chilli
1/2 tsp grated nutmeg
1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp sugar
4 or 5 slices pancetta or ham (125g)

Method

This is a simple variation of the Roman dish, Buccatini all Amatriciana, a dish with a chilli hot tomato sauce, which traditionally uses pancetta, an unsalted bacon. A good Australian ham makes a suitable substitute. Vegetarians may omit the ham if they wish.

Boil pasta in lots of lightly salted water until just cooked. It should still be al dente.

Chop onion finely and cook gently in the olive oil.

Once onion is softened, stir in ham, tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, chilli and nutmeg.

Break up tomatoes and allow mixture to cook for 15 minutes or so until it has a good, thick consistency. Season to taste.

Mix in pasta and allow to warm through.

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Creamy Polenta

Recipes

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups of polenta (available in most supermarkets)
6 cups water
1/2 tsp salt
5 Tbsp unsalted butter
1 Tbsp fresh, chopped rosemary
1 tsp cracked black pepper

Method

Made with cornmeal, this is a delectable alternative to bread or pasta.

Boil water. Sprinkle in polenta stirring all the time.

Cook over low heat stirring from time to time until the mixture comes away from the pan (between 30 and 50 minutes depending on variety of polenta - refer instructions on packet). Note: There are instant varieties available.

Add salt, butter, rosemary and pepper and stir well.

Pour mixture onto large flat oiled try and put in refrigerator to cool.

Cut into wedges and heat through in oven or put for a few minutes under grill.

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Fettucine Alfredo

Recipes

Ingredients

Serves 4

Pasta made with 300g flour and 3 eggs or 375g packet fettucine
50g unsalted butter
200ml whipping cream
150g freshly grated parmesan cheese
1/2tsp grated nutmeg
Black pepper

Method

One of the easiest of pasta recipes to prepare, this concoction of egg noodles, butter, cream, nutmeg and parmesan is one of those dishes where substitution of ingredients is not recommended.  While it is relatively high in saturated fat, it is a delightful indulgence eaten with a green salad and a crusty white loaf and enjoyed with a glass of a lightly chilled pinot noir.

You can either make your own pasta (or use a 375g packet of commercially prepared fettucine).

Cook pasta in lots of lightly salted water until al dente, and drain.

Melt butter over low heat in large saucepan. Add cream and 100g of cheese and stir in well while warming gently.

Add grated nutmeg and black pepper.

Toss in cooked pasta and served topped with remaining parmesan cheese.

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Fried Rice

Recipes

Ingredients

Serves 4

4 cups plain cooked long grain rice
1 medium onion cut into rings
2 or 3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup broccoli pieces, blanched
1 cup corn from the cob, blanched
1 cup cooked or frozen - peas
1 cup chopped cooked chicken
1 cup cooked prawns
2 Tbsp dried Chinese mushroom pieces
1 Tbsp rough chopped capsicum (any colour)
3 Tbsp canola or peanut oil
1 tsp sesame oil (optional)
1 Tbsp sweet soya sauce (Indonesian kecap manis)
Salt and pepper, to taste
Chilli sauce, to taste
Garnish
2 Tbsp chopped roasted peanuts
1 Tbsp spring onions, chopped
2 Tbsp coriander leaves

Method

What a great way of using up leftovers, especially cooked chicken, sausages, French beans, broccoli or peas and of course cooked rice.  Just about anything goes (except for Brussels sprouts and root vegetables).  If you don't have any leftovers, no problem.  This can easily be made from scratch using the suggested ingredients.  Vary the amounts to suit your own taste.

Have all the ingredients ready before you begin the cooking.

Soak dried mushrooms for a few minutes in hot water.  Drain.

In a large wok or frying pan, over high heat, put canola and sesame oils.

Fry onion and garlic for two or three minutes.

Add capsicum and cook a further minute or two.

Add soya sauce, chilli sauce, and salt and pepper. Stir well in.

Add broccoli and peas and toss through mixture.

Toss through chicken, mushrooms and prawns.

Serve garnished with peanuts, spring onions, and coriander leaves.

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