Meats & Chicken

Tuna Puttanesca Ragu

This dish is often considered the "poor man's pasta" in Italy because it relies on simple, pantry-staple ingredients rather than expensive ones. Despite its humble origins, it's surprisingly flavorful thanks to the bold combination of olives, capers, anchovies, and chili flakes, whilst the tuna adds to the meatiness. As a bonus, it is dairy-free and can easily be made gluten-free by swapping in gluten-free pasta.

🔥 Prep Time: 25 mins. | ⏱ Cook Time: 45 mins. | 🍽 Serves: 6

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Ingredients:

· 10oz (290g) jar pitted black olives (ideally kalamata)

· 3.5oz. (100g) jar capers

· 2oz. (50g) tin anchovy fillets in oil

· Large pinch (or two) chilli flakes (or none if you don’t like it spicy at all)

· 4 garlic cloves, finely sliced

· 3/4 cup (180ml) red wine

· 15oz. (400g) tin plum tomatoes

· 1 pk of 300g spaghetti, or linguini (or your choice of pasta)

· 5.5oz. (160g) tin tuna in olive oil

· Small bunch of parsley, chopped

Directions:

1. Drain the olives and capers, rinse well, then put them in a large bowl of water and set aside (this helps remove excess salt).

2. Put a medium saucepan over a medium heat. 

3. Add the anchovies – oil and all – along with the chilli flakes. 

4. Cook, stirring, for a few minutes until the anchovies dissolve into the oil, 

5. Now add the sliced garlic and fry for a minute or two until fragrant.

6. Add the red wine, turn up the heat slightly, and simmer vigorously for 4 minutes, 

7. Tip in the tomatoes, breaking them up as you do so. Half-fill the tin with water, swirl it around, then pour it in. Give everything a stir and bring to a gentle simmer.

8. Drain the olives and capers, then put them in a food processor and pulse a few times to create a mince-like texture. (or chop them on a cutting board with a large knife and stir them into the sauce, 

9. Leave to simmer very gently for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. You want it to be dark, jammy and thick, as the pasta water will loosen it later.

10. Once the sauce is nearly ready, bring a large pan of water to the boil (there’s no need for salt as the sauce is salty enough already). Add the pasta and cook for 8 minutes (or a couple of minutes less than stated on the packet), stirring occasionally. 

11. Meanwhile, drain the tuna and stir it into the sauce, breaking it into flakes as you do so. Season with plenty of black pepper.

12. Drain the pasta, reserving a cup of pasta water, then tip the pasta into the sauce along with most of the parsley and mix well, adding just enough pasta water to loosen the sauce. Mix vigorously to emulsify the sauce so it coats the pasta, then take off the heat and leave to rest for 3 minutes before dividing among bowls. 

Top with the remaining parsley. Dig in and enjoy.

The Best Friggin Meatloaf

This meatloaf is not only incredibly flavorful, but it’s also a breeze to prepare and cooks up in no time. You’ll love how the savoury blend of beef, onion, and sage comes together—creating that classic, comforting taste everyone craves. Whether you’re whipping it up on a busy weeknight or for a cozy weekend meal, it’s quick, easy, and always a hit. And don’t forget: if you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, meatloaf sandwiches are just as delicious the next day. It’s a treat worth savouring twice!

Here it is, the ever true and tried Meatloaf

🔥 Prep Time:10 mins. | ⏱ Cook Time:1 & ½ hrs. | 🍽 Serves: 6 - 8

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Ingredients:

· 2 lbs. lean ground beef (you can use turkey or chicken, or even veal and pork)

· 1 onion, either grated or chopped fine

· 1 egg

· 1 cup milk (or ½ cup beef stock, or chicken stock, depending on whether you are kosher)

· 1 tsp. chopped fresh sage leaves (can use 1/2 tsp. dried sage)

· 1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce (There is GF Worcestershire sauce out there too!!)

· ½ tsp. salt

· ½ tsp. dry mustard

· ½ tsp. pepper

· ½ cup dry breadcrumbs (you can use quinoa flakes if you are gluten free or GF bread crumbs).

· ½ cup of BBQ sauce (or ketchup, or chilli sauce) (You also can use GF ketchup or GF B.B.Q. sauce)

Directions:

Pre-heat oven to 350*f

1. Mix all the ingredients in a large bowl EXCEPT the BBQ sauce (or ketchup)

2. Place the mixture in a loaf pan.

3. Pour sauce on top and bake for 1 ¼ hours.

THAT’S IT!!! How easy is that...

Serve with mashed potatoes and gravy