Mum's Chicken Angel Hair Delight

My mother was probably the safest person I've known. You would unravel into a thousand threads with her, because you felt a comfort and a love that was unparalleled. She also had a dry sense of humour where I caught myself laughing in a way I rarely did with anyone else. Of all the many things about my mother, a bittersweet piece of irony is that she never enjoyed cooking until she became a quadriplegic. She grew up with blind parents and never learned the basic cooking techniques that those who learnt by osmosis can never truly appreciate. Her little confidence was reduced to a deficit by others in her life and she grew to hate a task that stubbornly followed her at the heels each day. However, an unexpected miracle occurred as the years went by being a quadriplegic. She entertained skills she never had the confidence or energy to attempt before. So much so that Fran's Cookbook now sits monumentally on my bookshelf, each page filled with recipes she's created written in her beautiful calligraphy.

Mum's Chicken Angel Hair pasta is one that was met with a sigh of contentment when the fridge door was opened. It was simple, tasty and healthy - and servings reheated perfectly in the microwave. This dish will be served to my family as a staple for as many years as I will be, for the simple reason that my Mum, who believed she was a terrible cook, grew to love something she thought she simply couldn't do. She could, and probably always could have given the encouragement she deserved. I love you so much.

Mum's 66th birthday, 2013

Ingredients:
125g Angel Hair Pasta
1/4 cup spring onions, finely chopped
400g Chicken Mince
1/2 tbsp tomato paste
2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
400g Passata sauce
1tbsp basil, chopped
1 tbsp flat leaf parsley, chopped
1 tbsp coriander, chopped
1 cube chicken stock, crushed
50g rocket
1 tbsp Parmesan, finely grated
125g Mozzarella, finely grated










Method:

1. Heat some olive oil in a frypan, add garlic and cook for 1 minute
2. Add chicken and cook for approx 5 minute
3. Meanwhile, heat large saucepan of salted water to the boil.
4. Add tomato paste, Passata and chicken stock cube to the mince and stir for 5 minutes
5. Add pasta to boiling water. Cook for approx 4 minutes.
6. Remove chicken mixture from heat and add Spring Onion, basil, coriander and parsley.
7. Place half of the Pasta in a lightly oiled (4 cup) ovenproof dish.
8. Top with half the chicken mixture, rocket and Parmesan.
9. Repeat with remaining pasta and chicken mixture.
10. Top with mozzarella.
11. Place under a moderate pre-heated grill for approx 5 minutes or until cheese has melted and slightly browned.

Serves 3 generously.

***Fran's Cookbook***