Tomato Pasta

This is such a great dish for the family.   It uses up all the old veg that didn't quite make it into something else.  It is packed with vegetables including the ones no-one likes and the children love it.  How better to sneak some good wholesome food onto their table.

Ingredients 

Oil - just a dash

Onions 

Vegetables chopped to smallish sizes - celery, leek, carrot, pieces of squash, courgettes, whatever you have in the fridge.  Not too much of anyone thing

Tinned Tomatoes -  the plum ones are good for this (2 tins at least for  people)

Dash of Red Wine Vinegar 

Generous spoonful of Brown Sugar

Heat the oil and begin by gently frying the onions and veg such as celery or leek.

Add the other vegetables, toss together

Throw in the tomatoes, they can stay whole for the moment.

Add the red vine vinegar, you only need a little. Then sprinkle liberally with the brown sugar.  This gives a slightly sharp tang then sweetens it which makes it appealing to the children.

Bring it to the boil and leave to simmer so that all the vegetables are cooked through.    If you are adding spinach, kale or other green leaves that do not need much cooking add them at the end just before you puree the mix.

When the root vegetable are softened, but still remain firm add the green veg and then liquidise.  This should be fairly roughly done so there are a few bits of crunch left in the sauce.   I blitz quickly once and then leave.

Serve immediately with fresh or dried pasta and plenty of hard grated cheese.   A chunky fresh bread also goes well with this.  

This is so difficult to replicate as the ingredients change each time; sometimes I add a few fresh herbs or even dried.   The delight is seeing them polish of the plates no matter what is in the pot and they think it is just tomato sauce.   I have added ginger and garlic as well to give it a little more umph.  I should rename it "Mothers Prayer Answered" with all the disguised goodness in there.  It is quick and so easy.

Enjoy 

Tiggy

Find out what I am up to in my other blog  Dawn Chorus