Spaghetti chicken/Quorn Bolognese

Here is another healthy version of the yummy family favourite. I am a vegetarian while Naz & Anjalie eat fish and/or chicken regularly. But as a family we all three of us avoid red meat since the risks outweigh any benefits. Having said that it does not mean Naz & Anjalie will not eat them rarely (may once or twice a year) when we eat out as a treat. Recently on once such trips, Anjalie really liked Spaghetti-bolognese at one of the restaurants. So I decided to try making it at home for dinner a couple of times with chicken instead and I used quorn for myself as a veggie option. On the first time, I heard Anjalie say to Naz "Mummy is the best baker & cooker, isn't she daddy?" Needless to say, I was very pleased with the compliment. After that I have made this few more times and tonight we enjoyed this with garlic bread and salad and Anjalie said that "Mummy, your spaghetti is the best best ever!" So here I am sharing this simple recipe in the hope that you and your family will also enjoy it. Again, if you prefer the traditional bolognese sauce, simply replace chicken with beef and you have the traditional bolognese for dinner. You can add bacon or try pork mince too for a variety :)

You will need:

500g dried spaghetti or your favourite pasta

450g chicken/Quorn mince (I simply processed chicken breasts in the food processor to make my mince)

2 cans/tins of peeled tomatoes

2 tbsp tomato puree (I used the Italian one with a bit of garlic)

1/2 tsp sugar

1 tsp garlic paste

1 onion (chopped)

1 mild chilli (I used Jalepenos)

1 tsp Italian herbs (or fresh equivalent)

1 tbsp olive oil

salt and black pepper to taste

In a blender, blend tomatoes, tomato puree, garlic paste, sugar, dried herbs, chilli, onions into a smooth paste.

In a skillet, heat the olive oil and add the chicken mince and cook on medium heat until





 the water runs clear (See pic). Skip this step for Quorn mince. Instead, just slightly cook the Quorn for 30 secs and move to the next step.

Add the smooth sauce and salt and black pepper.

Bring it to a boil and cook for 8-10 mins (make sure that the meat is cooked thoroughly!).  Set the sauce aside. Cook the pasta according to the instructions.

Serve Spaghetti/pasta with sauce on top. Garnish with fresh herbs and serve with warm garlic bread and salad. Enjoy!