1 dinner base, 3 diverse meals
It can be tricky getting a dinner on the table that the whole family will enjoy. Introducing a sure-fire winner: this dinner base can easily be adapted to suit every taste from picky pre-schooler to distracted teen.
The base:
Soften diced celery, carrots and red onion in olive oil. Brown extra-lean beef mince in a hot pan.
Add two cans of diced tomato, season, and simmer for 20 minutes.
Now adapt:
For the pre-schooler:
Mash roasted root veggies like carrot or butternut, mix with a little plain low fat yoghurt, and spread over mince for a fresh take on cottage pie.
For the tween/teen:
Add an extra can of diced tomatoes and simmer for another 10 minutes. Spoon the mince over wholewheat pasta and serve with sliced tomatoes, basil and parmesan for a great-tasting spaghetti bolognese.
For the grown-ups:
Add a can of drained and rinsed black beans. Spoon the mix over brown rice & quinoa and serve with baby spinach, fresh coriander, sliced red onion and avo for a deliciously simple chilli con carné.
And for those days when cooking from scratch is just not on the cards …
Try these ready-made faves:
- Spinach and Ricotta Canneloni
- Spaghetti Bolognese
- Chicken and Chorizo Bake