Mike's Perfect Sausage and Carrot Pasta

In honour of Steve's birthday today, I thought I would post a recipe for one of his favourite pasta dishes - a family recipe from our Italian friend Mike.

My favourite story about Mike occurred a couple of years ago when Steve was the best man at his wedding in Helsinki.

According to Finnish tradition, the bride is kidnapped during the reception and then the wedding guests demand a ransom from the groom.   This was going as per the plan until both Mike and Steve ran out of money and the guests demanded Mike's underwear as part of the ransom.

Reluctant to give up his specially purchased wedding underpants, Mike and Steve disappeared to the bathroom so that Steve could lend Mike his boxer shorts (a heroic gesture from a dutiful best man).

After surprising another man in the bathroom with their trouser removing antics, they returned and Mike waved the boxer shorts aloft triumphantly.

The cunning ruse backfired almost immediately however when I recognised the shorts as Steve's and soon the other guests were shouting  'They're Steve's underpants." and refusing to accept them as payment.

In what I can only think was a desperate attempt to secure the release of his new bride, Mike said 'No, they're definitely mine.  In fact, if they weren't mine, would I do this?'  and then proceeded to pull them over his head. 

God bless you Mike - I hope Hannele appreciated your sacrifice!


Serves 2-3

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large onion - finely chopped
• 3 cloves of garlic - crushed
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 225g pork sausages (2-3 sausages)
• 150g grated carrots (in the region of 3 medium sized carrots)
• 450g tomatoes chopped finely
• A handful of basil
• Additional salt and pepper to taste
• Parmesan
• Pasta (of your choice)

Method

1. Heat the olive oil in a large pan
2. Cook the onions, garlic and salt until the onions are soft - approximately 5 minutes.
3. Slit open the sausages and then add the meat to the pan breaking it up into small pieces as you do so.
4. Cook for a further 5 minutes, breaking up the sausage meat with a wooden spoon as it cooks.
5. Add the grated carrot and put the lid on the pan.   Cook for 10 minutes to allow the carrot to cook into the sauce.
6. Add the chopped tomatoes, replace the lid and cook for 15 minutes.
7. Remove the lid and cook for 5 minutes to thicken the sauce. 
8. Tear up the basil and stir into the sauce.   
9. Season with salt and pepper.
10. Serve with pasta and sprinkle with parmesan cheese.