My Pasta e Fagioli in the slow cooker

Hi everyone! It's been a long time!
I've decided to get back on the blogger wagon and share more of my amazing home and cooking.

Growing up this was one of my favourite meals my mother made

It wasn't to all visitors taste, but it was warm and hearty and went quite a long way!

When I moved out of home at 18, I had no idea what I was doing in the kitchen.

And Mum and Dad were far away, I had to google a recipe!

After many years of playing with it, I have a recipe I am happy with 

Cooking this every winter, sometimes more than once brings such good memories back to me

But now I use my slow cooker to so it cooks low and slow.

Don't have one? Don't fret! you can still do it on the stove in a big boiler/pot.

My Pasta e Fagioli
(Pasta and Bean soup)

Ingredients

1/4 cup olive oil

1 onion, diced finely

1 medium carrots, diced finely

2-3 stalks celery, diced finely

2 fresh tomatoes, chopped

Garlic cloves (quantity is up to you, I like a lot)

1-2 dried chilli's (optional)

1 pork hock (or bacon bones)

1 packed dried borlotti beans/whole green lentils or beans of your choosing (soaked overnight)

3-4L chicken stock (home made or bought)

Salt and Pepper

250g small pasta of your choice (these photo's show alphagetti)

What to do

First be sure everything is chopped as desired, if you like texture, then cut them chunky.

Want them to break down? then chop them finely

Start by frying off the onions, carrots, celery, tomatoes and chilli

When they are starting to soften add your pork hock

Add the soaked beans/lentils and give it a stir

Add Stock and bring to the boil, then transfer to slow cooker

(you don't have to wait for boiling if you can't be bothered, I often rush ahead)

If using a slow cooker, put the dial to low and leave it all day

6-8 hours.

But be sure not to leave it too long

(I did once, turned to much, great for puree and still tasted wonderful but whoops!)

When beans/lentils are soft and meat is falling of the pork hock/bone

Add seasoning to taste

It's ready for the pasta

Add pasta and let it cook until the pasta is to your taste

(not the TV chef's taste)

Sprinkle with the cheese of your choice before serving and enjoy!

This freeze's well for a meal on the go

There is no better surprise when you are looking for a quick and healthy meal in the freezer, when you find you have a container that has been hiding down the back!