I thought it was time for a new fun foodie blog, but I have to confess its been hard to muster up the energy to do one lately.

I’m not sure why, but I seemed to have misplaced my cooking mojo.  Kind of stopped channeling my domestic goddess , the cooking version of “writers block”  I guess.

I think every mum (or dad) who has to cook for a family every night feels this at some point.  In my case it has to be not too spicy for Ten Boy Jack, but not too  bland for Big J.  Not  heavy on the calories for Teen Ellie, but not so you’d notice….. or Big J will think he’s eating “diet ” food and insist on a pizza an hour later!

Tough job really, and I am sure you could add plenty of your own family’s  food “eccentricities ” to the list!

And with a little tired toddler pulling at your leg it feels tougher than cooking on master chef most nights!

It might of had something to do with me being ill as well, anyone who I chat to on twitter, and all of my long suffering family will be painfully aware of my ear infection .  Sorry guys for going on, but blummin Norah! I have only felt one pain worse and that was child birth…. and you at least get gas and air for that!

Anyway I have been starting to feel better but still the mojo has been eluding me. I have been wandering around Sainsbo’s like a woman with Alzheimer’s trying to channel some Jamie Oliver type inspiration, ( and lets face it his mug is on everything apart from the dog food in that place! )

But nothing…tumble weed…slight ringing in the ears?, maybe… other than that…..  nadda!…..

In the end, I went back to basics, this is the first proper meal I cooked for Big J (after which he pronounced me mariage material, you can decide whether this is a good thing or not ;D ) It’s also a big hit with even the fussiest little tea time guest.

So here it is, lets hope it kicks starts my Nigella side! I have really missed her ;D

Mama’s Yummy Meat balls

For the Meatballs

• 400 g Beef Mince
• 1 garlic Garlic
• 3 tablespoons of breadcrumbs or semolina
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon of oregano
• 2 tablespoons of grated Parmesan Cheese
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• good grind of pepper

For Tomato Sauce

• 1 onion
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1 teaspoon of oregano
• 1 tablespoon of butter
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• 700g bottle of passata
• pinch of sugar
• salt and pepper
• 100ml of sour cream or milk

Put the onion, garlic and oregano in the processor and wizz until it makes a nice paste. Then heat the butter and oil in a deep pan and cook on a really low heat , being careful not to let it catch, for about 10 mins. Add the whole bottle of passata and then half fill the bottle again and add that to. It may seem a bit watery now but will thicken up later.

Add a pinch of sugar, salt and pepper and cook for a further 10 mins.

While that’s happening make the meatballs. All you need to do is put everything in a nice big bowl mix and then roll into little round balls  (kids love to help with this, as long as they are not scared of raw meat)

After the 10 mins has passed add the sour cream or milk, and drop the meatballs in, a few at a time. (I always tell Jack they are going swimming ; D)

Do not stir the meatballs at this stage or they will break up and you will end up with bolognese sauce instead.

Leave uncovered to cook for around 25-30 mins with another good grind of salt and pepper to taste. It serves 4 …YUMMYNESS!

Oh and just a quick question…. What do you think of new kid on the block Sophie Dahl’s new show, The Delicious Miss Dahl? I have just been reading Miss Yap -Yap from Heat Mag’s  rather scathing opinion, and to be fair I quite enjoyed it.

Over styled maybe, a bit wordy very possibly….. But I loved the food she cooked and that girl is certainly beautiful to look at, you have to give her that, right? ….

Would LOVE to hear your comments x

 

This entry was posted on Monday, April 26th, 2010 at 12:45 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.