Lunch and Dinner!

So, today was one of those crazy days with friends over for lunch and a dinner to sort. Somewhere in there I wanted to use the bag of spinach I opened the other day in the fridge and knew was slowly wilting but knew it had to be used in a way my eldest 'P' wouldn't notice too much. After dropping P at nursery rushed back to try as and get the house somewhat presentable decided on a quick bean and pasta soup, a basic cheese and tomato pizza and a salad with some little orange tarts for pudding. 

For the soup:

Saute onions and garlic slowly on a low heat for about 20 mins until soft and aromatic. Sprinkle in a pinch of dried basil and stir until warmed and releasing it's fresh aroma also. Add a tin of chopped tomatoes with one teaspoon of sugar to cut through the acidity and a tin of haricot or cannelini beans, if a bit dry add some water. Cook on low for about 20 minutes although it really doesn't matter if you leave it longer. You can at this point blitz half the mix in a food processor or with a stick hand blender which will leave some whole beans, but I blitzed all of it, less faff and thought P might complain about 'lumps'. Add macaroni or soup pasta (or, when desperate have even just used normal pasta, it is just a bit chunkier) and water, simmer until pasta is cooked (10-15 minutes). Add more water if needed to make a good soup consistency. I usually serve a little thicker than usual so little ones can spoon it easier. This soup makes a filling dinner also with some rustic bread. At the table grate some Parmesan over. 

For the pizza:

I jazzed it up with some sliced mozzarella and red pepper topped with salami.

Tarts:

These were actually from Jamie's 30 Minute Meals which is a great book. I have made some of the meals in 30 minutes, but usually pick and choose bits and pieces from different menus. The tarts used ready made pastry with a vanilla creme fraiche filling and literally took minutes to make and 10 minutes to cook (and seconds to devour!). http://scrapbook.channel4.com/programmes/jamies-30-minute-meals

Lots of bowls cleared and full stomachs yum yum. 

And with all that done it was time to think about dinner, yes hubby would soon be home a rummaging around the kitchen for food. I decided on a quick spinach and feta tart, or Spanakopitta as it is called in Greece where I first fell in love with this dish. Yes, a bit of a pastry overload but the spinach had to go!

For the spinach tart:

Saute one onion (finely chopped) with one garlic (chopped or crushed), one bag of spinach (washed) and a sprinkle of oregano until soft and wilted.

Take off the heat to cool. 

In a bowl beat 4 eggs, one tub of ricotta and one block of feta crumbled. Add salt, pepper and a little powdered or grated nutmeg. 

Add the spinach mix to the egg mix and stir.

Take a pie dish, lay 3 sheets of filo pastry in the bottom brushing each with melted butter before laying the next (if you have time). Spoon the pie mix into the middle, either fold the bottom pieces over the mixture, or lat more sheets on top. Brush the top with melted butter (this is a must). Bake at 200°c for 30 minutes (maybe set the timer for 20 and keep an eye). 

For pudding we had strawberries and Greek yogurt with honey. 

Happy cooking