SPAG TOP RECIPES

Steps:

• Put a large saucepan on a medium heat and add 1 tbsp olive oil.
• Add 4 finely chopped bacon rashers and fry for 10 mins until golden and crisp.
• Reduce the heat and add the 2 onions, 2 carrots, 2 celery sticks, 2 garlic cloves and the leaves from 2-3 sprigs rosemary, all finely chopped, then fry for 10 mins. Stir the veg often until it softens.
• Increase the heat to medium-high, add 500g beef mince and cook stirring for 3-4 mins until the meat is browned all over.
• Add 2 tins plum tomatoes, the finely chopped leaves from ¾ small pack basil, 1 tsp dried oregano, 2 bay leaves, 2 tbsp tomato purée, 1 beef stock cube, 1 deseeded and finely chopped red chilli (if using), 125ml red wine and 6 halved cherry tomatoes. Stir with a wooden spoon, breaking up the plum tomatoes.
• Bring to the boil, reduce to a gentle simmer and cover with a lid. Cook for 1 hr 15 mins stirring occasionally, until you have a rich, thick sauce.
• Add the 75g grated parmesan, check the seasoning and stir.
• When the bolognese is nearly finished, cook 400g spaghetti following the pack instructions.
• Drain the spaghetti and either stir into the bolognese sauce, or serve the sauce on top. Serve with more grated parmesan, the remaining basil leaves and crusty bread, if you like.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 180°C, fan 160°C, gas 4. Cut the bread into 6 thin slices, then cut each slice into 4 small triangles. Spread the triangles out on a large baking sheet, drizzle over the olive oil and season with freshly ground black pepper.

  Bake for 5 minutes, then turn the triangles over and bake for a further 5 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside.

  Put three quarters of the smoked salmon in a food processor with the soft cheese, horseradish and lemon juice. Whizz until you have a smooth pâté, then transfer to a bowl. Stir in the rest of the smoked salmon and the finely snipped chives. Season with freshly ground black pepper.

  Top each crouton with a small dollop of the pâté. Use a vegetable peeler to cut the cucumber into thin ribbons and arrange them on top of the pâté. Garnish with the extra chives, season with freshly ground black pepper and serve on a platter with the lemon wedges to squeeze over.