Sunday 20 July 2014

Meaty Bolognese

They say the way to a man's heart is through his stomach. I can certainly vouch for this. I met my husband while we were both students at what is now Southampton Solent University. He turned up at my flat just before Christmas in our third year to come and see some of my flatmates. His LLB (Hons) course had enabled him to spend the first semester of the final year at the University of Copenhagen. To this day he still retains a fondness for Tuborg Christmas beer. After Christmas he kept coming back to my flat attracted by the fact I lived there with his friends and probably the smell of my slow cooker meals. After many attempts to woo me I finally cracked and we were married the Easter after we graduated in my local church. The layout of the church meant it had three rows – one for my family, one for husband's family and the third was full of our university friends. That was 16 years ago.

When I applied to do a BA (Hons) Journalism degree only a small number of institutions ran the course and I applied to all eight of the them. It was the first year Southampton Solent University had run the course but everything just seemed right about the place – the course, the lecturers, the scope to specialise and of course the location on the south coast. Now there are several different journalism degree courses run but I've always been proud to say I was one of the first to graduate and lead the way for the future. At my graduation my Nan got a front row seat and I don't know if she was more thrilled by her youngest granddaughter graduating or seeing Sir Trevor McDonald receive an Honorary degree as Doctor of Letters!
My original student recipe folder and kitchen equipment still in use today
This dish is the first meal I ever cooked for my husband whilst we were at Southampton. We had no ovens in the halls of residence but this never deterred me from cooking a decent meal. We have continued to eat this over the years but now the quantities have been increased so our now family of four can all enjoy this together.


Ingredients

500g pack of Minced beef
1 packet Oxtail simmer soup
4oz (100g) Mushrooms, peeled and sliced
300g of dried spaghetti
Pepper of your choice of colour – red, green, orange or yellow, deseeded and sliced

Method

1. In a saucepan put the minced beef in and cover with water. Bring to boil and cook until the mince has lost its pink/red colour.
2. Reduce to a simmer, add the oxtail soup and stir in. If too thick add a little more water.
3. Cook the spaghetti as per the packet instructions or how you like to cook it.
4. Add the mushrooms to the mince.
5. Just before serving add the peppers and heat through.
6. Drain the spaghetti and serve with the bolognese.

This post is in collaboration with Southampton Solent University. The words, photos and memories are all my own.





20 comments:

  1. I was never much of a cook when I was at University but they were some of the happiest days of my life.

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    1. My three years at university were the happiest years of my life. I always wished I could have stayed in Southampton.

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  2. That sounds like a nice and simple dish to cook x

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    1. It's always ready in less than 20 minutes. Perfect for hungry students!

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  3. I could probably even do this and I don't cook. Thanks for sharing x

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    1. It really is very tasty and very easy to make.

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  4. This is one of hubby's fav dishes! I make it often, but have to make it the slimming world way these days!
    Two Hearts One Roof

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    1. I always use very low fat mince for this dish as you can't drain off any excess fat.

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  5. What a tasty and simple meal! Some of my most inventive meals were cooked as a student..... it's amazing what we can produce with so little in the way of resources and equipment!

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    1. I think it set me up for life. When we first moved in to our current house we had no oven and had to make do with a microwave and slow cooker for six weeks!

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  6. look so delicious, great recipe such a simple yet effective meal

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    1. Even now I rely on it for a quick meal for all the family.

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  7. Spag bol is a big family fav here. We are going through the whole picking a uni with my daughter here, exciting times!

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    1. That is so exciting. I hope she finds the course she really wants to do.

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  8. I didnt have to worry about cooking at uni as I stayed at home & went to a local one, but I would have easily been able to cook this had I lived away!

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    1. It really is a dish anyone can make and just two hob rings needed!

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  9. This looks scrummy! Love that there's plenty of veg included - cuts the cost to :-) x

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  10. I like bolognese, but can never eat it without making a mess. Thanks for the recipe, I wouldn't have thought of using a soup as the sauce.

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  11. I used to love cooking when I was at Uni... there was so many lovely parties to host and always everyone was hungry

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  12. I love a good bolognese although everyone always ends up in a right state

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I appreciate your comments. If you have any tips, tricks or tweaks please pass them on!