I’ve always
loved spaghetti hoops, I developed a strong dislike for baked beans during my
primary school days, where eating everything served to you each lunch time was not a
choice, neither was packed lunch. The force-feeding put me off them entirely
and so the hoops in a can became my go-to toast topper. Served mouth scalding
hot with black pepper and lots of grated cheese the humble tin of hoops has got
me through many a hangover or broken heart. I’d sometimes go for alphabetti
instead, just to mix things up a bit, in fact there’s probably a can or two in
my cupboards now. When I saw alphabet pasta on a recent trip to Sainsbury I
just couldn’t walk on by. Memories of my childhood, teens and later hungover
university days rushed before my eyes and I grabbed a bag with glee. There’s
something about that heady combination of carbs on carbs that I long for when
having a bad day and hoops on toast was perfect for scratching that itch. It could also
be on the table in less than 10 minutes, another point in its favour.
I definitely
wanted to have a go at a homemade version of the classic Heinz alphabetti. A
quick read through the ingredients was reassuring, the main ingredients were in
fact pasta and tomatoes – this was promising. I think my version is pretty
damn good, they even smelt like the real thing as I was simmering the sauce.
The colour was good and from start to finish they were done in less than 15
minutes, plus no can opener required! They’d make a great packed lunch for kids
(or adults) in thermos flask. Give them a try.
My second
foray into the world of alphabetical food was an adaption of something I make
regularly. I’m really fond of making a big batch of soup at the start of the
week to keep me in lunches and the odd dinner through the week. It really takes
the pressure out of meal prep and means I eat healthily even when I’m really busy.
The soup uses up all my odds and ends from the fridge plus I’d buy some protein
to add, usually from chicken or turkey, with stock and some small pasta shapes
too. This way I was getting a good balance of veg, protein, fat and carbs in my
meal, covering all bases. I decided to give my soup an alphabetical twist this
week and here is the recipe for you to try. It’s as easy as A, B, C…Sorry I
couldn’t resist.
It’s such a convenient way to consume most of your vegetables each day and a lot tastier than chewing through piles of plain veg. Adding the pasta is great for
eating post training and thickens the broth a bit too. You could add rice,
barley or quinoa as well to vary the flavours or make it gluten free. I've calculated the macros for you so you can make it fit your daily needs.
Homemade tinned alphabetti
Makes 4-6 small
servings
Prep 5 mins
Cook 10 mins
2 tsp butter
1 tsp onion
powder
3/4’s tsp
paprika (sweet if you have it)
500g tomato
passata
3 tbsp milk
3 tbsp
grated Parmesan cheese
1 tbsp
agave, soft brown sugar or Sukrin gold
150g
alphabet pasta shapes
1 Heat the
butter in a small pan, once foaming add the onion powder, paprika, sugar or
agave and some sea salt (if not giving to children about 1 tsp). Stir until the
mixture resembles a paste and tip in the pasatta, milk and Parmesan. Simmer for
5 minutes.
2 Heat a pan
of salted water and once boiling cook the pasta for 5-6 minutes until tender,
drain in a sieve or colander with small holes. Add to the sauce and serve.
Mega Macro
Soup
Makes 6-8
portions (Macros based on 6)
282 Kcals,
5.8g Fat, 27.8g Carbs, 24.7g Protein
Can be frozen
1 tbsp
coconut or olive oil
½ bag diced
frozen onions (I always use these now instead of chopping my own, why? I’m
lazy, my mascara stays in tact, there cheap and convenient and the water means
they don’t stick to the pan as they cook)
3 sticks
celery, diced
2 large
carrots, no need to peel, diced
1 large
leek, trimmed and thinly sliced
2
courgettes, diced
150g
mushrooms, diced
2 tsp garlic
puree (again, this is due to laziness, I hate crushing garlic plus it’s so hard
to get rid of the smell)
1 heaped
tbsp. tomato puree & basil pesto
splash white
wine
400g can
chopped tomatoes
2 chicken
(or veg) stock pots
a few bay
leaves
450g chicken
breasts or use a mixture of thighs and legs if you like the meat on the bone
more, NB the broth will be a bit more fatty if you do this.
150g baby
spinach
150g
alphabet pasta or small pasta shapes
Parmesan
rind (if you have one in the fridge) plus grated Parmesan or mozzarella to
serve
1 tsp grated
nutmeg
fresh basil,
to serve
1 Heat the
oil and a good pinch of salt in your biggest saucepan and add the onions,
carrots, celery and leeks. Cook gently on a low heat until really soft, adding
a splash of the wine or some water if they start to stick. This will take about
20 minutes.
2 Add the
mushrooms, courgettes, garlic, pesto and tomato puree with some black pepper
and cook for a few minutes more. Tip In the wine and simmer until almost
evaporated then add the stock pots, bay, Parmesan rind if using, tinned
tomatoes and 1200ml of water. Bring to a simmer then carefully add the chicken,
use tongs to help you. Simmer gently for 20-25 minutes, depending on how big
the breasts are, then remove them with the tongs and leave until cool enough to
handle. Keep the soup simmering gently while you do this.
3 Tip the
pasta into the soup and simmer for 6 minutes. Turn off the heat, stir and add
the spinach, basil the nutmeg. Taste and adjust the seasoning now. Shred or
slice the chicken and stir through the soup. Allow to stand for 5 minutes
before serving with the fresh basil and grated Parmesan or mozzarella on top.