Spice Fusions Spaghetti Bolognese

At university, I used to make the same dish over and over again whenever I was 'entertaining' or missing Mum's cooking. Spaghetti bolognese. It's so easy, because with the Masala Blend mix there is no long list of ingredients and minimal washing up! 'Back in the Day' Mum used to mix me a masala blend which is now the Spice Fusions Masala Blend for Meat. This took the hassle out of making a tasty meal and I used to freeze the leftovers. And, if there's one tip I can give you, nothing tastes better than a dish where the spices have been left to infuse!

Ingredients (Serves 4)
1 Tablespoon cooking oil
1 Finely chopped medium onion
400g Tin chopped tomatoes.
2 x 20g Masala Blend for Meat
500g Minced meat. I use turkey mince.

For washing up: 1 frying pan, 1 wooden spoon, 1 knife and a chopping board.

Method
1. In the frying pan heat the oil and saute the onions until soft.

2. Add the mince and the Masala Blend for Meat. With your wooden spoon, mix the mince with the masala blend and cook the mince until brown and all the excess water has evaporated.

3. Add the tin of chopped tomatoes and cook for a further 10 minutes.

4. Serve with Spaghetti and spinkle with cheese.

Serving tip: This is a great dish for the kids and if you want to make it milder without compromising on taste then use the Masala Blend for Vegetables which has a lighter, fresher flavour.

Freezing tip: Allow your mince to cool and transfer to a freezer safe container. Follow the manufacturer's freezing/defrosting guidlines. When you heat the bolognese please ensure it's piping hot throughout before serving.

Vegetarian Sausage & Bean Casserole

I was set a task one Friday evening a few weeks ago. It had been a long week at work and after the gym I went for a wander around the supermarket - it was my turn to sort out dinner. I thought about making something with sausages, only my brother was home for the weekend and he's a vegetarian, he doesn't even eat eggs, so Quorn sausages were out of the question. Unperturbed, I diligently serched the frozen isles and found the completely vegetarian sausages - dinner sorted: sausages, baked beans and mash! But, that week I had just collected the fresh batches of masala for tasting and I wanted to try...

I decided to make a vegetarian sausage and bean casserole - it was FABULOUS! The recipe is below, and of course you can make it using whatever sausages you like. If you use meat sausages you might want to use the Masala Blend for meat instead, the spicier flavour profile will complement the stronger flavour of the meat beautifully.

Spice Fusions Vegetarian Sausage & Bean Casserole

Ingrdients (Serves 4)
8 Vegetarian sausages
1 Medium onion finely sliced
1 Tin of Baked Beans
400ml Hot water
2 x 20g Pot Shots Masala Blend for Vegetables

You will also need: a casserole dish and a measuring jug

Method
1. Cook the sausages according to the instructions on the packet. (If you did not use the oven to cook your sausages then preheat the oven at 180 degrees C, gas mark 4).

2. In a measuring jug, measure out 400ml hot water, add the tin of baked beans and the Masala Blend. Stir together.

3. Spread half the onion on the bottom of your casserole dish. Add the cooked sausages and the spread the rest of the onion evenly over the sausages. Pour the beans and masala casserole mix over the saugaes and onions.

4. Place the casserole dish in the middle of the oven and cook at 200 degrees C, gas mark 6, for 30 minutes.

I served the casserole with fine green beans and a carrot and swede mash.

Try it and let me know what you think. I guarantee even the meat eaters amongst you will love this dish!