4The weather outside seems to be THE topic these days. It’s grey, rainy, windy and everyone is expecting snow. And it should fall soon. When I started wearing my wellingtons around beginning of October during the rainy days I was met with rather amused faces. Well, nobody is laughing now.

Coming home and deciding what to cook, our thoughts fall mostly on comfort food, something quick and warm. One of the dishes, which became our favourite “go to” on these days is this tortellini with minced meat. We tried it in various combinations, but this is the one we do very often. We alter it sometimes to what else we have in the fridge, utilising any leftover peppers, mushrooms or carrots. For months now I’ve learned to keep at least one pack of fresh ready made tortellini for those days when cooking is the last thing on my mind. Uncomplicated and quick it leaves us full and content, so we can spend the rest of the evening tucked in the blanket, reading a book with tea nearby, listening to the wind howling outside.

Serves 2

Preparation time 5min                                                 Cooking time: 15min

1 pack tortellini 400g, cheese or spinach and ricotta, found on the cooling rack

400g minced meat,

200g frozen spinach,

100ml whipping cream,

200ml passata,

1 red bell pepper,

200g champignons,

2-3 tsp sambal oelek (if you don’t have it at hand, just add ca 1 tsp cayenne pepper)

1 onion,

2-3 garlic cloves,

salt and pepper to taste

½ tsp curcuma (optional)

½ dried coriander

Peel the onion and dice. Peel the garlic and cut into small cubes. Pour about 2 tbsp of oil into a pan, add the onion and garlic and sear over medium heat until golden brown. Add the meat and the spices and mix well. Peel the mushrooms and cut into 4 and the pepper into ca 2cm cubes. Add to the meat, along with spinach. Add sambal oelek, mix well and leave for few minutes. Pour the passata and bring to the boil. Pour the cream and check if it’s to your taste. If it’s too spicy, just pour a little bit more cream. Cook for another 2 minutes, then set aside. In the meantime boil the water for the tortellini and when ready add the pasta. The ones I usually get is ready in 2 minutes, so I normally cook it when the meat and the sauce is ready, but better check the cooking instructions.

When the pasta is ready, divide evenly and pour the sauce over.