Use Parsley Herb

Herb Chives

Great information for beginning herb gardeners on history, cultivation, harvesting, and uses of herbs.

Healthy Tomato And Basil Bolognaise

Classifying the Basil Bolognaise as 'healthy', as the onions have been 'sweated' in water as opposed to fried in oil.

· 1kg lean minced beef

· 1 tablespoon of olive oil

· ½ cup boiling water

· 2 sliced onions

· 4 crushed cloves of garlic

· 2 x 150g tins of tomato paste

· 2 x 450g tins of chopped tomatoes

· handful of freshly picked and shredded basil leaves

· 1 tablespoon of sugar

· 1 cup of red wine

· freshly ground black pepper to taste

How to add everything together

  • Heat the oil in a large frying pan and cook the onion and garlic for 2-3 minutes.

  • Add the water and 'sweat' the onions for 5 minutes or until soft.

  • Add more water if required.

  • Add the mince and brown.

  • Stir in the tomatoes, paste, sugar and black pepper.

  • Simmer for 30 minutes.

  • Stir in the red wine and the basil and cook for a further 10 minutes.

  • Serve the basil bolognaise with pasta of your choice and top with a sprig of fresh basil.

The basil bolognaise actually improves in flavour the longer it's cooked, so if you have time to cook it for 2 hours, do so. The red wine and the basil should still be added to the basil bolognaise 10 minutes before the end; otherwise they will both loose their flavours.