Does this lunch sound horrible?

[pastashapes9]

One onion and one clove of garlic, chopped then heated in sunflower oil for 5 mins. Add two chopped carrots, 1 chopped red pepper, 2 chopped tomatoes, 1 can chopped tomatoes and chopped fresh basil. Simmer for 30 mins then blend, serve with fresh fusilli and cheese.

It’s for my 6.5 month old baby who is weaning, but me and DH are going to have some too.

I’m a crap cook so am just experimenting and trying new things.

Thoughts and suggestions welcome.

Sounds lovely!

Not at all.

No, it does not sound horrible
It sounds like a staple recipe.
Hope you're ok.

It’s literally just bits and bobs we have in the fridge mixed together - no idea if it’s going to work!

It sounds fine, it just pasta and veg sauce. My dc loved eating pasta with their fingers when they were weaning. I also did (still do, they are 9 and 12 now!) a blended version of that sauce, served with pasta and meatballs. I put sweet potato in too, to take the bitterness of the tomatoes away, and to thicken it a bit.

I'd eat it!

Are your family vegetarians? I'd do a similar thing adding tuna instead of cheese.

It’s like it’s missing some “oomph”.. a good sauce base perhaps, but I’d want some meat with it too.

My children would definitely eat it though.

Sounds good

Hope you're ok.

Why would I not be ok? I’m not a confident cook at all, which is why I’m asking.

No, it sounds nice. I would add the carrot earlier though - with the onion but before the garlic. My experience is that carrot takes an extraordinary long time to soften in tomato sauces.

I wouldn't simmer the basil either - it doesn't need cooking and it'll disappear. I'd sprinkle it over the bowls or stir it through the sauce right at the end.

That sounds fine. I would top with some grated cheese. Be mindful that sauce makes pasta slippery and hard to pick up, so you may actually find your baby does better just with plain (so I'd keep some of that to the side as well).

It’s like it’s missing some “oomph”.. a good sauce base perhaps

Thanks @IhateBoswell - what would you suggest to improve the base?

Add a pinch of sugar to cut the acidity in the tomatoes . I make similar pasta sauces when I have bits that need using in the fridge. No one ever complains.

It'll work beautifully. I would only blend the babies though. Mix it all together, top with the cheese then put under the grill until cheese bubbles and browns.

Useful advice, thanks @LimpidPools!

Sorry OP, I meant what you’re making is a good sauce base... I’d personally prefer a bit of meat with it but I would definitely be able to eat it as you’re doing it.

It sounds like a basic pasta sauce it sounds nice we can't all be delia I know I'm not

The carrot should add sweetness, but if not a teaspoon of sugar might make it more palatable for the baby. This is common in tomato based sauces.

Sounds exactly like the sort of quick meal I put together with what's left in the fridge! If I had it I'd put a dollop of red pesto in too.

@pastashapes9

Hope you're ok.

Why would I not be ok? I’m not a confident cook at all, which is why I’m asking.

I'm having a bit of a ridiculous day and your response gave me a laugh. Unconfident cook checks out recipe, receives a head tilt response! In reality I presume she has you confused with someone else!

I had the Hugh Ferning Whittingstall "3 Good Things on a Plate", which is great for quick, simple, adaptable use up recipes.

You have done a bog standard pasta sauce recipe on AIBU OP and have asked if it's ok. I am asking if you are ok.

I hope you are coping with newborn and not overly worrying.

Of course it's OK. It is a completely normal weekly pasta sauce.

Not horrible! A tablespoon or two of butter/ olive oil mixed in and some salt for you and DH will make all the difference.

When I said basic I meant normal . I was going to say put a pinch of sugar in the tomato balances it out you don't need a lot.

I agree about it being the base for something else. Not that I wouldn’t eat it and enjoy it.

For the adults, I’d add chilli flakes to turn it more into an arrabbiata type sauce and also cook meatballs/sausages/pieces of chicken/roast veg to add as well.