Magic Mince

It is rare to come across a kid that does not like mince. This is our family's favourite recipe that everyone eats, which is heaven for a busy mum. Please make sure you use the lowest fat mince you can find. To make the preparation faster, I use a Zyliss chopper to chop the mushroom, cauliflower and broccoli. Unfortunately it does not work for the celery or capsicum because it turns them to a mush.

Magic mince
750g beef mince
1 onion (finely diced)
plus at least three of the following
8 mushroom (finely chopped)
3 courgettes (finely grated)
3 sticks celery (finely chopped)
1 capsicum (finely chopped)
4 florets cauliflower (finely chopped)
4 florets broccoli (finely chopped)
2 carrots (finely grated)
1 wedge of pumpkin (finely grated)

Magic Meatballs
Place magic mince and 2 free range organic eggs into a large bowl and mix until combined.
Little hands can help make small, round meatballs.
Cook in a nonstick frying pan.
Add to a pasta sauce and spoon over spaghetti for spaghetti and meatballs.
Freeze any leftover cooked meatballs.

Bolognese Sauce
In a large frying pan, cook onion.
Add mince to the pan and brown.
Add two tins of chopped tomatoes to the pan.
Add 250 mls of quality beef stock to the pan.
Put lid on the pan, and simmer at a low heat for 15 minutes.
Add mushroom and pumpkin and cook for a further 5 minutes
Add the rest of the vegetables at the very end.
Serve over pasta of your choice.
Freeze any leftover bolognese sauce.
NB I'm a fan of eating vegetables raw or barely cooked if possible, so I just stir through any vegetables that do not need cooking just before serving. It helps cool the dinner down and the children can dig in straight away.