Healthy Spaghetti Bolognese Recipe

More turkey I hear you cry! Sorry is it too soon to mention the 'T' word?

If after recent Christmas festivities and the overeating that goes with it your belt is slightly tighter than usual and the word 'diet' and 'healthy eating' has been uttered a few times this month then fear not. I have a scrummy, full of flavour, healthy, bolognese that if you didn't know, would not be able to tell it was beefless. I used to make this all the time but left the turkey in favour of butchers mince which is oh so yummy but oh so fatty! But, like the majority of the population I need to go on a health kick and this house loves a bit of 'spag bol' (especially the small one) so cutting it out is not an option!

Oh and lots of hidden veg for those pesky kids ;)

Ingredients

Turkey mince - 500g (oh hear the groans)

Celery - 1 stick finely chopped

Carrot - 1 finely chopped

Onion - 1 finely chopped

Mushroom - 2 chopped

Courgette - About 2" chuck finely chopped

You can add any other veg you fancy. I found a desperate looking swede in the fridge to add

Garlic - 2 cloves crushed

Red wine - approx 100ml

Beef stock - 400ml (I use the low salt version)

Tin chopped tomatoes x 1

Worcester sauce - good splash

Red wine vinegar - splash

Mace ground - 1.5 teaspoons

Tomato puree - 1 tablespoon

Bay leaf x 2

Basil - good bunch

Oregano - good bunch (I used 1/2 teaspoon of dried as I had no fresh)

Wholewheat Pasta

Serves approx 6-8 and perfect for the freezer

First off soften the onion, carrot, celery and garlic for a few minutes in a small amount of oil or use those spray oils. Add the rest of the veg for another few more minutes

Add the mince and brown off
Then add the wine and reduce (you want to burn off the alcohol and concentrate the flavour)
Once that's reduced add the stock, tin tomatoes, tomato puree, mace, worcester sauce, red wine vinegar, bay leaf and seasoning
Bring to the boil and simmer on a lowish heat for 35 minutes

Add the basil and oregano and simmer for another 10 minutes or until you have a thick meaty sauce. Check the seasoning and add more if needed, then it's ready