Secret Of An Easy Meal.

This recipe will feed four people. It uses ingredients that are easy to find in UK shops. The recipe makes enough to serve on its own, though I prefer to make it with a side salad or garlic bread. When preparing the ingredients take into account the difference in pasta shapes. Ribbon shaped and thin pasta is better suited to thinner, more delicate sauces. I prefer Conchiglie pasta with this recipe due to the thickness of the sauce.

275g chicken or turkey breast fillets
300g Conchiglie pasta
1 red pepper
1 celery stick
1 large onion
1 Bolognese sauce
200g grated cheese
1 tsp salt
1 tbsp mixed dried herbs
2 tsp Olive oil

When you begin to collect together the ingredients, add 1 tsp of salt to a large pan containing 600ml of water.
On a low heat allow this water to slowly come to the boil. This allows you time to prepare the rest of the meal, and makes the best use of your time.
Take a sharp knife and slice the chicken or turkey breast into small pieces.
Using a different knife prepare the pepper, onion and celery into neat slices.
Once this is done drizzle 2 tsp of Olive oil into a medium pan and heat until hot. To test if the oil is hot, put a slice of onion into the pan. If it fizzes then the oil is hot enough.
First add the meat to the pan. As the meat cooks it will begin to turn white. At this point add the sliced vegetables to the pan. Stir the ingredients as you do this. The stirring not only helps to keep the meat from sticking to the pan, but also helps to coat the vegetables with any remaining oil.
By now the water in the other pan should be bubbling. Gently add the pasta to the pan taking care not to splash the boiling water. Boiling water can cause burns.
The meat and vegetables will cook quickly. Once happy that the meat is white throughout add the mixed dried herbs, and stir in the Bolognese sauce. Allow the sauce to simmer.
When the pasta is plump and soft, move to a sieve and allow to drain. Once drained put the pasta into a large serving dish.
Remove the sauce from the heat and pour across the pasta. Mixing maybe required for full coverage.
Add the grated cheese to the top to garnish. It may be advisable to quickly put the whole dish into the oven on Gas Mark 6 for five to ten minutes until the cheese is molten.

I prefer to serve from the dish at the table. The piping hot serving dish topped with molten cheese is a fantastic centre piece. Serve potions directly onto plates or into bowls if eating it on its own.


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