Day 7 - Continental Pasta Packets!

Well they thought they were making a convenient meal already with the pasta mixes... little did they know that i wanted it to be even more convenient!!

I took their pasta packets, followed the instructions...basically... and left it to cook while I did...other stuff... no idea what I actually accomplished in that time, but still...the idea is there...

These were left over from our camping trip, and frankly they are quite disgusting!  I normally would keep anything like this, packet, instant, camping/tramping meals in a box and pull them out for our next away trip...but these were just not worth it.  The only way you can make them taste good is by adding plenty of fresh type foods to it.

So first of all I threw a couple of mushrooms and some courgette and a left over chicken drumstick into the homecooker and gave it a quick grill/fry...no, saute!  (175*C for 15 mins)

I then set that aside and put in all the ingredients as stated on the packet, butter, milk and water... only difference is that I left out most of the powder.... I kept changing my mind about how to do things so the mix got tipped from one container to another and I noticed that all the powder sank to the bottom, so it was easy to just not tip it all into the mix.  While it probably made it a completely different flavour... or rather, no flavour.... it definitely tasted better, a lot less processed and artificial and salty!

I also chucked in a handful of oregano, as my herb box (and vege garden) are getting taken over by it so I needed rid of some of it!!

Set timer for another 20 minutes and went away to accomplish something great....

When I came back it was all ready and just about to stick on the bottom, and I had forgotten that I was going to add the sauteed stuff for the last 5 minutes, so I had to put it on some more chuck those in, grated a bit of Parmesan cheese and then when it beeped, I served it on to plates for me and the kid and told them it was macaroni cheese... but they still didn't like the mushrooms and courgettes...

They should just be thankful I didn't top theirs up with tomatoes and rocket as well... but I was thankful that I did...quite the scrummy lunch as it turned out!  If only I could take this appliance camping or tramping with me!