Fresh Beef, Tomato and Basil Pasta

This recipe is a true time buster when it comes to convenience - I’ve cooked it so many times for Luca that I’ve got it down to around 25 minutes. It’s also good to add greens like courgettes or kale as the colours contrast amazingly with the red from the tomatoes.

I’ve always mixed this up for Luca, giving it with pasta, rice or new potatoes depending on what’s kicking around. Lastly, this recipe’s great for the whole family; when you’ve finished, place what’s needed for the baby aside and add seasoning to taste for yourself!.

Method

Start by cooking the beef in a large frying pan, being sure to break down as much of the bits as you can with the spatula or wooden spoon. This should take around 5 minutes, so you’ve no pick left on the beef.
Drain off all the fat, and put the remaining beef to the side.
Now cut the onion into small pieces and put in the pan with the olive oil and cook for a few minutes to soften down (it’s also at this time you could cut and add the courgette to the oil to soften as well).
When the onion is soft and cooked, cut the garlic in half and place into the pan (you’ll take these two pieces out at the end, it’s just there to add some additional flavour to the dish).
Now place the beef back into the pan and cook for a further 2-3 minutes, just to get the beef back up to temperature.
Add the tomatoes to the pan and have a good stir around; if you feel it looks too dry, add some tomato puree to get it nice and juicy.
Now chop the basil nice and fine, and add to the pot and cook for an additional 5-8 minutes, making sure to stir a few times.
Place into the blender and blitz away for just a few seconds. We’re not looking for a fine puree like we did in stage 1 - we need to see a few lumps and bumps (you just want to take away any large bits).

Nutrition Facts

High in protein – essential for growth and repair
Cooked tomatoes are a source of lycopene – a powerful antioxidant
Excellent source of haem iron – better absorbed than vegetarian iron sources

Ingredients

fresh beef
500g fresh,
lean mince meat
(beef or lamb
work just as
good as each
other)

onion
1 medium onion

garlic
1 small garlic clove

tomato
1 can of chopped
tomatoes

basil
10-15 basil leaves

olive oil
3 tbls extra virgin
olive oil

Apples
Fresh Beef, Tomato & Basil Pasta