Spaghetti in Tomato and Plum Sauce

I made spaghetti tonight and it was delicious. I made it a little different than usual as I added a bit of the plum jam I made the other day to the mixture. It turned out fantastic!! I love using things that have been created in my kitchen to make even better foods. Here is the recipe:

Spaghetti in Tomato and Plum Sauce

Ingredients:

500g of minced meat

1 onion, finely chopped

1 tbsp of plum jam

1 jar of tomato pasta sauce of your choice

Spaghetti of your choice

Method:

1. Put onion, jam and mince into a fry pan and mix till the onions soften, the jam melts and the meat is cooked. 
2. Add sauce and stir well.
3. Boil water and cook the pasta till al dente. Drain pasta and mix into the sauce.
4. Grate some cheese and serve.

Jam from Heaven - Plum with a hint of Chili

I was given a 2lt tub of plums last night so today I made some more jam for the cupboards as well as making Little A some food. Last plum season I made a really nice batch of plum jam but I wanted something a touch different for this seasons batch so I added a touch of chili paste. It tastes so good! Even Little A likes it.

Here is the recipe:

Ingredients:

1.5kg plums, de seeded

1 large lemon, juiced

1 large apple, finely chopped

700g sugar *

1 1/2 tsp Thai Red Chili Paste

1 cup of water

Method:

1. Place apples and water in deep pot and boil till apple is soft, topping up water if you have to. Then add plums, lemon juice, chili paste and bring to the boil.  (save lemon halves and put into the pot to boil)
2. When plums are breaking up take pot off the heat, discard lemon halves and add the sugar. Stir till well combined and put back on the heat and boil.
3. Stir frequently till the jam mixture has set (when it falls like sheets off a spoon back)
4. Fill warm sterilised jam jars with mixture and let cool for a few hours. Jam can be eaten straight away.

 * The original recipe called for 1.2kg of sugar but I cut that in half and added the apple as I don't like too sweet jam. If you are a fan of really soul sucking sweetness, then add the orginal sugar and take out the apple :D

I hope you enjoy!!!