Monday's meal 52 new recipes

Last week was full on and I was tired by the end of it. Don't get me wrong - I love being busy, I thrive when my brain has to think, to plan and I have plenty to do, then when I come home at the end of the day - the collapse on the settee with a mug of tea is very satisfying. 

It is then, post settee flump and mug of tea slurp, I seize up. My body goes ...' nope, no, not now' and my brain joins in - making it hard to decide what to cook. To counter this brain fog, I keep a list of our favourite meals tucked in the cupboard and often refer to it for inspiration. However, after a while even the favourites become 'blah', so I find I fall down the rabbit hole of recipe research. Tonight's meal is such an example ....

If I am perfectly honest - as I served it up - I had my reservations, I'd tasted it as I went along, checking seasoning and found it bland. To my surprise it was fine, quite tasty in fact. I did have to oomph up the flavours considerably though and it paid off. 

photo from website

 Pasta Bake 

Ok, nuts and bolts now ...

Would I make it again? : I might do, but certainly work on the flavour/seasoning - and I don't mean just increasing the salt and pepper. I added a pinch of chilli, garlic granules and mixed herbs and then resorted to a generous squish of tomato puree to help 'deepen' the flavour.

Did it go down well? : surprisingly yes (me more surprised than the others)

Any changes? : Apart from the boosted flavouring/seasoning, the recipe calls for 100gms pasta, I increased that to 250gm (I have two hugely hungry blokes in the house) and it made a comfortable amount for four but no leftovers and certainly confirmed that the original 100gms would be too meagre.

Any hoo - we are full and satisfied and the meal did what it had to do 😊 back to work tomorrow, Moss and I are ready🚶🏼‍♀️🐾🌱

#52newrecipes

52 New Recipes