My Mum’s made this at home forever. It’s quick, filling (full of fibre and protein), a great vehicle for eating bread + butter on the side and needs to be topped with plenty of parmesan and your best olive oil. Plus it freezes like a dream which is a very important priority for me.
Makes 6-8 portions
1 pack of smoked streaky bacon - best you can afford chopped
4 large carrots diced
3-4 garlic cloves crushed
Splash of sherry/noily prat/kitchen booze (not essential but makes better)
500ml chicken stock
1 large jar passata
2 x cans of cannelloni beans drained
salt, sugar, black pepper
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fry bacon on medium heat in large saucepan until sizzle brown
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add chopped carrots and 2 pinches of sugar and let this whole thing turn into a sticky caramelised mess with sticky bits
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de-glaze with booze (or splash of water) and then add crushed garlic (any earlier and it will burn)
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add pasta and stock, bring to a bubble and turn down and simmer for 20ish minutes
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Add beans and cook for a further 5-10mins
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add plenty of black pepper and check if it needs extra salt
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serve with good olive oil and parmesan and fresh herbs if you have some about
