Why-he-married-me Bacon Pasta

I know right, sad to think that Rob could be that shallow… sometimes though I really do think that this was right up there with any other good attributes I might have when he decided to pop the question. Well, whatever his reasoning, I can’t find fault with his passion for this dish, except that he requests it so often that I can’t believe we haven’t killed it yet. I have been making it for so long that I honestly can’t remember where I got it from in the first place, I just recall stirring away over our two plate stove at University and never being underwhelmed with the results…

Post Script 12 December 2011 – This recipe is now almost famous. I kid you not, read about it here.

Serves 4 | Preparation time 15 minutes | Cooking time 30-45 minutes

WHAT YOU’LL NEED
Half packet of pasta – again, really thin spaghetti is our household favourite
1 x 250g packet of bacon, chopped (or use kitchen scissors, nice trick)
2 tins chopped peeled tomatoes
1 medium onion, chopped
Half a punnet of courgettes, chopped any which way (optional)
2 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped
2 Tbsp chutney/sweet chilli sauce/ 1 Tbsp sugar
Half tsp dried chilli
Half tsp dried coriander
1 tsp ground black pepper
Half a cup of cream, or plain yoghurt for a healthier version

WHAT TO DO
1. Cook the pasta until al dente, drain, drizzle with olive oil and set aside.

2. In a medium-sized good quality pot on med-high, heat about 4 Tbsp olive oil, and brown the onion, chilli and garlic.

3. Then add the bacon and brown that too.

4. Add the 2 tins of chopped tomatoes and the chutney/sweet chilli sauce/sugar.

5. Bring to the boil and then let it simmer for about 20 minutes before adding the courgettes and cream.

6. Simmer for a further 10 minutes and then serve over the pasta and garnish with some fresh chopped basil or parsley.

Variations: You could easily add mushrooms to this dish, or cook it with chicken instead of bacon. You could also serve with some crumbed feta sprinkled over the top.

And when I get this right, Rob gives it his 10/10. And when I don’t, believe me I know all about it.