Gourmet Dinner Service

Why it’s good for mums
Perfect when there is not much in the pantry. Use whatever you have available, the recipe is flexible. Egg sauce instead of cream sauce is better for the waistline.

Why it’s good for kids
Pasta is a favourite with kids. The use of eggs in the sauce means the kids can clearly see what’s in it. First impressions count with kids so if they can see everything and define each ingredient then you start off on the right foot.

Ingredients		Method
350g pasta 4 eggs, lightly beaten 2/3 cup parmesan, grated 1 tablespoon butter 2 teaspoons oil ¼ cup wine 200g bacon (or ham, proscuitto, pancetta) ¼ head of broccoli, cut into small florets 2 zucchini, thinly sliced 150g frozen peas – add to pasta in the last 2 minutes of cooking Punnet cherry tomatoes, cut in half		Bring 4 litres of salted water to the boil. Add pasta and cook for according to directions on packet. Whilst pasta is cooking, heat oil in pan and fry the broccoli and bacon until crisp Add wine to frypan and let simmer until half of the liquid has evaporated When the pasta is cooked, drain but leave a 3 tablespoons of the cooking water behind Return pasta to the pan and off the heat add cooking water, broccoli, bacon, eggs, parmesan and butter. Stir immediately. The heat of the pan and pasta will cook the eggs. Keep stirring until everything is mixed through and the sauce coats the pasta. Add cherry tomatoes. Serve immediately.

2. TIPS FOR MUM

Busy Mums
Most of us always have eggs and pasta in the house, so buy a jar of grated parmesan for the fridge, have some bacon and peas in the freezer and when ever you are in a complete rush you have an easy dish in your reportire.

Tips
Use a bigger than normal saucepan to cook the pasta. It will make it easier to mix everything through at the end.

If you think the eggs are not thickening you can put the pot back over a low flame and stir constantly until the sauce coats the pasta.

Add the cherry tomatoes just before serving. This will prevent them from losing their ‘form’ in the mixing.

Hiding vegetables
No opportunity but it’s a great meal for hiding eggs! My son had a dislike of eggs and this dish was a staple for me to adding eggs to his diet.

3. MAKING IT FUN

Creating a Scene
Food doesn’t always have to be served on a plate or in a bowl. Serve the pasta in a homemade foil boat. It takes about 30 seconds to make each boat.

Boat making instructions - take a rulers length of foil. Fold in half. Fold the long side edges back (approx 4cms). Take both short ends of the foil, ie stern and bow and fold over at a 45 degree angle and crimp it. Open it up and place hand in bottom of boat and spread out to give you a boat like shape. You can add a sail if you wish.

Game Time
Younger kids - Aeroplane Game
Instead of an aeroplane use different types of boats, ships to sail the food into their mouths. When you have run out of boats try different types transport. Take the focus off the food and onto the fun. You may need to feed them but at least they are eating and enjoying it.

Older Kids - What rhymes
One person chooses a food on the plate and then going around the table everyone trys to rhyme with it. Take it in turns to choose the food.

Hands on

Measuring the water
Cracking the eggs
Beating the eggs
Mixing the parmesan cheese with the eggs

4. ADULT FRIENDLY

2nd sitting

Ah.. the downside of this recipe. Reheating overcooks the eggs. Prepare and put half aside to cook when needed.

Spice it up

Add pinch of cayenne pepper or chilli flakes and ground black pepper to the beaten eggs.