Off topic: Food

Is anyone else watching Jamie's 30 minute meals? Those caramel custard tarts look delish! I know a lot of people find Jamie irritating but I love his fuss-free approach to food; nothing fancy or scary, just hearty, genuine grub. I like a bit of ponce now and again but who can be arsed with truffle oil and the like after a hard day's slog.

This isn't a Jamie recipe but it's so darn easy I'm sure he's done something similar. It's a little decadent for me to have on a Monday (I usually stick to something a little less carb filled for tea during the week) but I'm serving it with a beetroot salad so I don't feel guilty.

(adapated from The Good Mood Food Blog)

Chorizo and Bean Pasta

serves 4

150g chorizo, sliced in thick discs
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 red onion, finely chopped
400g tin chopped tomatoes
1 tsp dried oregano
Sea salt and ground black pepper to season
400g tin cannellini beans
250g penne pasta
Parmesan cheese, to serve

Heat a large frying pan over a high heat and throw in the sliced chorizo. Fry on both sides until roaring red and sizzling. Remove from the pan and set aside. You should be left with a rich red oil in the pan.
Place the pan back over the heat, add the garlic and onions and fry for two to three minutes until the onions are soft.

Add the chopped tomatoes and dried oregano, then half fill the empty chopped tomatoes tin with warm water and stir into the pan (if you have red wine it would be great here instead of the water). Bring the sauce to the boil then reduce the heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes until it has reduced a little.

While the sauce is reducing, cook the pasta according to the instructions on the packet, drain and set aside.
Stir the chorizo and cannellini beans into the tomato sauce until everything is warmed through.
Add the sauce to the cooked pasta and stir through.

Serve with a good grating of Parmesan cheese.