Night two for the Gourmet Garden Blog Off !

Tonight’s offering is a simple yet tasty pasta dish with just a smattering of hidden vegetables. This dish – as you will see is also baby friendly!

In this Tomato, Basil and Bacon Tri Colour Pasta I have used  the Gourmet Garden Basil and Garlic. I have added some *hidden* vegetables to get some veggies into those tiny tummies. We have a daily dinnertime fight with the 3 year old about eating dinner at all – but pasta usually isn’t a problem – so if he eats the Vege without even knowing – that’s a bonus!

Tomato, Basil and Bacon Tri Colour Pasta

serves 4 – 6 Cooking time approx 40 mins Preparation Time Approx 20 mins

Ingredients

Spray Oil

5 – 6 Rashers of Short Cut Bacon ( I like to use short cut bacon to keep the fat content down)

2 Tsp Gourmet Garden Garlic

3 Tblsp Gourmet Garden Basil

1 700g Jar Passata

1 Tin Crushed Tomato

1 Onion – Diced

1 medium Carrot – grated with a small grater

1 medium Zucchini – grated with a small grater

1/2 cup steamed and blended Cauliflower. (Optional)

Method

Place the diced bacon in a frypan spayed with oil to brown and crisp slightly – then remove from pan and set aside once cooked.

Place the chopped onion in the frypan and cook gently for about 5 minutes or until onion has softened. Add the Gourmet Garden Garlic and cook for a further minute. Add the Tomato and Passata, Carrot, Zucchini and Cauliflower (If you are using it) to the pan. Season with salt and Pepper to taste and add the Basil. Stir through the turn the heat down and simmer for 30 minutes or until sauce has thickened slightly. Add the bacon back into the pan when there is around 10 minutes to go.

I used a tri colour pasta for this dish because it appeals to my children – however and large pasta such as Rigatoni or Penne would work just as well.  Put the pasta onto boil after you have added the bacon into the sauce and cook until al dente. Drain the pasta.

Place a serve of pasta in a bowl and pour a good dollop of sauce over the top – serve sprinkled with Parmesan cheese.

This dish was thoroughly enjoyed by the smallest member of our house – he just loves anything he can get into with his hands. The chunky pasta pieces are the perfect size for grabbing. Perfect Baby Led Solids food!