Bacon & Spinach on a Pasta Bed

Food Fantasies…….of a yummy mummy!

Yes! We love pasta. Almost every home I know cooks pasta at least one day a week. So, spicing it up gives it a different look and added oomph each time. This article features funky family pasta meal with a sauce of bacon and spinach for that green goodness. Now, this will get the taste buds of the whole family going

INGREDIENTS – For this simple recipe (family of 4), you will need:

300- 350g Pasta
1 Red bell pepper (chopped)
1 yellow bell pepper (chopped)
Some bacon (unsmoked, back- chopped)
Spinach (cleaned, washed, chopped)
Rapeseed oil (alternatively use almond oil)
1 small size onion (cut into large chunks, )
1 tin of tomatoes (alternatively use some fresh tomatoes)
1 scotch bonnet pepper (optional)
Herbs, Spices and Seasoning: 1 clove garlic, small ginger (crushed), 1 tsp. oregano, 1 tsp. curry powder-mild or medium, 1 tsp. sage, 1 tsp. basil, ½ tsp. rosemary, black pepper (dash), 2 bay leaves and salt to taste

TIP: Depending on the size of your family, you may need to adjust the quantities. In the absence of bacon, you can use shredded chicken, turkey etc.

METHOD

Put pasta in a pot and fill with cold water so that it covers the surface.
Drizzle a little olive oil, 2 bay leaves and a dash of salt
Bring to boil until cooked. Take off heat and drain. Leave to the side
Blend the tomatoes with scotch bonnet pepper, a small cut of onions and a clove of garlic. Put to a side.
Heat up 2 tbsp. rapeseed oil, then pour in the blended tomatoes.
Allow to simmer for about 8-10 minutes, then season with oregano, basil, curry powder and a small handful of the chopped peppers. Taste for seasoning and allow to simmer for at least 5 minutes before removing from heat.
In another heated pan, drizzle a little rapeseed oil, then sauté the chopped bacon and the remaining onions with crushed ginger, sage, rosemary, black pepper (dash) for about 5 minutes. Add the remaining chopped peppers and sauté for another 5 minutes… drizzle a little rapeseed oil if needed. Finally, add the chopped spinach, stir for additional 2 minutes and take off heat.