Chinese-Style Spareribs

I couldn't count the number of time I've had this over the years. It's been a regular family meal and one for occasions. I remember having these at a bonfire night party and a family barbeque, and someone always asks for the recipe after they've tried it. You can use this same sauce with different meats (chicken breast works well) or stick to the pork spareribs. As it's cooked for a long time in the sauce the meat becomes very tender rather than how tough the meat can be when simply fried. When cooked with the spareribs it's great to eat with you hands and eat the meat off the bone but that can be a little messy so keep some kitchen roll to hand.

You will need:

900g (2lb) Lean Pork Ribs

Sauce:
150 ml Unsweetened Orange Juice
4 tbsp Honey
2 tbsp Tomato Ketchup
2 tbsp Dark Soy Sauce
 1 Garlic Clove (crushed)
2.5 cm Piece of Ginger (finely chopped)
2 Good Pinches Chinese 5 Spice

note: I've replaced the piece of ginger with ground ginger for convenience.

Equipment: Large Frying Pan/Wok, Jug, Spoon, Utensil to turn the meat (tongs are easiest for spareribs).

Method:

1. I'm using pork chops instead of the spareribs, but no matter what meat you're using start by frying it in a large frying pan to cook the meat through.

 2. Make the sauce by mixing all of the sauce ingredients in a jug.

 3. Pour the sauce over the meat in the frying pan and simmer for an hour turning the meat occasionally.

 4. After this time the sauce should have reduced to a sticky dark brown sauce.

 5. Serve with rice for a great meal.

Spaghetti Bolognese

Spaghetti Bolognese is a classic Italian meal which is surprisingly simple to make. Most Spaghetti Bolognese recipes will include celery and red wine but I have left these out to adapt the recipe to my personal taste/requirements. (Sorry about the photo being taken after I'd drowned mine in cheese!)

You will need:

1 tbsp Olive Oil
1 Onion

2 Carrots

A Handful of Mushrooms
1 Clove of Garlic

500g Mince Beef

1 tsp Dried Oregano

1 tbsp Tomato Pureé

1 Tin of Chopped Tomatoes (400g)

400ml Beef Stock

Splash of Milk

1 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce

Equipment: Knife, saucepan, wooden spoon, can opener, 

Method:

1. Slice the mushrooms, dice the onion and carrots and crush the garlic.

 2. Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan and add the carrots, onion, mushrooms and crushed garlic. Cook for 5 mins.

 3. Add the minced beef and continue cooking until the beef has browned.

5. Add the oregano and tomato pureé and stir through.

6. Add the can of chopped tomatoes, followed by the beef stock, milk and Worcestershire sauce.

7. Stir through, bring to the boil and simmer for about an hour. (While this is cooking the spaghetti can be cooked according to the instructions)

 8. Serve the bolognese sauce on a plate of spaghetti.

Leek and Potato Soup

This is such a quick, simple meal to make. It tastes great and is even better with a chunk of crusty homemade bread.

You will need:

30g Butter
1 Garlic Clove
1 Onion

1 Leek

1 Large Potato

450 ml Chicken Stock

Seasoning

Equipment: Knife, saucepan, wooden spoon, potato masher.

Method:

1. Slice the leek and dice the onion and potato.

2.  Melt the butter in a large saucepan and add all the vegetables with the garlic crushed. Cook in the butter for 5 mins.

3. Add the chicken stock, bring to the boil and simmer for 30 minutes.

4. Using a potato masher, roughly mash the soup. Add seasoning and cook for a further 5 mins.

 5. Serve while hot.