Passata.. what can I do with it.

[bigknickersbigknockers]

Thats it really, I bought it before christmas, I dont know why but I did and I could do with some good recipes suitable for me DH and s kids please.

pasta sauce with onions/olives/mushrooms/anchovies/whatever

pizza base sauce ?

I use it instead of tinned tomatoes, so mince, bolognase, lasagne, pizza base, pasta sauce (basil, garlic, passata and either creme fraiche/cream/yogurt/philly type cheese)

I am a big ponce and cannot bear bits of chopped tomato in stuff, so I use passata where you might otherwise use tinned tomatoes - bolognaise sauce, chilli, tomatoey shepherds' pie with lamb mince, onion, carrots, herbs. Assuming it's a big bottle it's particularly good for doing biggish batches of those things.

Or ... with chicken, peppers and paprika, that's nice. Serve with brown rice.

Nigella has a lovely recipe for meatballs using passata as a base for the sauce. She uses pork & beef mince for her meatballs with oregano, parmesan & garlic, breadcrumbs and bind with egg. Make into small walnut sized balls. Blitz one onion with garlic & oregano in processor. Cook this slowly in olive oil & butter for about 15 mins, add your jar of passata, half fill jar with cold water & add that. Pinch of sugar. Cook slowly for a time (can't remember as I'm typing this from memory and you mightn't even want the recipe!!), then stir in 100 mls of milk. Drop the meatballs in really gently. Don't stir. Pop lid on, half on half off, mostly covered IYKWIM. Cook over low heat for about 20-30 mins. Serve with pasta & more parmesan. Mmmmmm.

If you want the recipe proper, just let me know and I'll double check quantities & timings.

Sorry I havent got back, I didnt get chance to come back yesterday. Millie I like the sound of those meatballs, it'd be great if you could check the recipe and post it on here please

Serenity: the pasta sauce sounds great, could I have more details please, I need a recipe as I never have any success when i make it up as I go along

Lackofgravitas: Does brown rice take longer to cook than white rice and does it tast different?

Bingo: Its not often I make my own pizza but next time the children suggest it I will know what to use

err I'll try, but I tend to throw things in, not good with recipes! I did end up making it last night, posting it made me hungry

Yesterdays pasta sauce...

Saucepan/low heat - add passata (I did about half a bottle of the ASDA smart price), crushed clove of garlic, generous scattering of basil (fresh would be good, but I'm not that organised, so it was dried) salt and pepper,

Let it simmer gently then add creamy stuff (I had half a 250g tub of soft cheese, which wasn't enough so I also added a very generous tablespoon of greek yogurt, could have used creme fraiche, but we're having fajitas tonight so needed it) You can't really go wrong with the proprtions, it just depends how creamy/tomatoey you like it!

Once it's all melted and mixed in it's ready.

Shall post it tomorrow night.

Brown rice does take longer ... oh yes, that's why I don't cook it as often as I'd like. 30 minutes. It tastes ... browner! Sort of nutty, with a bit more substance than white. I'm not terribly good at liking things that are good for me, but I do like brown rice. Can't even get DD to eat the white stuff though.

I've made this before and it always goes down well.