Although I’m a good cook (and a modest one, eh?) I’m pretty lazy when it comes to the kitchen. Unless I’ve got a slow Saturday afternoon of culinary processes planned, speed is of the essence. When it comes to cooking I like to get in, get out and get fed: quick food, without compromising on taste.
Which is why I think it’s important to spend money on quality tools in the kitchen that make speedy cooking achievable. A KitchenAid, Global Knives… you name them, I use (and love) them.
Microplane is one such kitchen genius brand that makes my life that much easier.
I was given my first Microplane grater as a Christmas present by my dad, the only chef I know who’s almost as good as me, and I was a bit disappointed at first. Hello Dad, it’s Christmas, where’s my Jo Malone loot?!
He had the last laugh though, and promised me I’d be thrilled as soon as I got over myself and had a go with my new tool, and he was right: my Microplane soon became a kitchen staple.
Made in the USA, Microplane blades are photo-etched and ultra-effective (i.e. watch those fingers!). The sharpest tools around, they grate with absolutely no effort and optimal results, with the brand having 50 years’ experience in photo-etching technology.
I use mine in various recipes almost every day, so I was thrilled when Microplane sent me an few more from their range to have a go with (scroll down to win them yourself!).
As a garlic lover I generally eat at least one clove a day in one form or another, and using a Microplane saves so much hassle (and stinking fingers): I used to chop my garlic which was always a nightmare, leaving big chunks of it in my food where I got bored of chopping.
They’re also brilliant for cheese grating and take up zero dishwashing room – the massive A graters being so cumbersome and ineffective – as well as for citrus fruits and shaved chocolate.
Microplane (available at John Lewis or Steamer) asked me to use their range of graters to create one of my favourite family recipes so I chose the quickest that I whip up on a regular basis for me and the kiddos: the 10 Minute Spaghetti Carbonara.
This really is the speediest family meal, taking just as long as it takes to fry up some bacon. I save even more time using my Microplane for the cheese and garlic, and speed up the process even further by buying fresh over dried pasta.
There’s no cream in this recipe as that isn’t an ingredient of the authentic Italian recipe, but the egg, parmesan and starchy cooking water combine to create the creamiest of sauces.
10 Minute Spaghetti Carbonara
Small handfull of spaghetti – we use fresh because it quicks so easily
25g finely grated parmesan cheese
3 rashers smoked bacon
1 egg
Salt and pepper
- Fill a pan with boiled salted water and cook your spaghetti as per packet instructions.
- Chop your bacon into small pieces and cook with a little olive oil in a large frying pan – I like to use my Garlic Oil for this.
- Beat your eggs and season in a separate bowl or mug.
- As soon as your pasta is cooked strain it, reserving a little bit of the cooking water.
- Turn the heat off the bacon and add the pasta to the frying pan.
- Add the egg and parmesan to the pan and mix together well. Add a tablespoon or so of the cooking water to the pan to create a bit of a sauce and serve.
You can enter to win a Microplane bundle to make your dinners speedier, too! Just follow the options below:
Thank you to Microplane, a brand I know and love, for working with More Than Toast :)
Terms and Conditions: Entries received after the time of competition close will not be counted. UK residents only. Winner will be selected at random after the closing date and will be notified within 3 days of competition end. Only entrants received via the Rafflecopter widget will be considered valid. No cash alternative is offered to the prize: a Microplane bundle. Microplane International is responsible for the provision of the prize.
As soon you mentioned watching your fingers I was intrigued and scared haha! I can cut my digits open on even the bluntest of graters
Mel ?
meleaglestone.co.uk
@meleaglestone
Looks a lot Easier as The Good Old Grater, I’m In For A Win!!
beef stews are coming out again now :) x
My favorite Autumn recipe is pot roast!
Pumpkin soup x
These loook great- anything to make chopping garlic easier! My favourite autumn recipe is chilli con carne! X
chicken chorizo and bean stew
I love goulash especially in the slow cooker, easy as anything!
Leek and Pasta bake, and yes I use my microplane for the grated cheddar on the top, it’s brilliant.
Moroccan lamb tagine with cauliflower lime and coriander cous cous :)
I love Microplanes. Seriously the best kitchen tools as you say. I also use mine every day. Also brilliant that they can be popped in the dishwasher. My favourite Autumn/Winter dish has got to be Anjum Anand’s Indian take on Shepherd’s pie. It’s amazing and the microplane is brilliant for all the grating.
My favourite autumn recipe is butternut squash soup
My favourite recipe is one my MiL invented for bonfire night! Rocket pie. Fried onions, sausages and baked beans mixed with curry powder and baked in the oven! Really random but yummy, especially with some crusty bread!
I love carrot and coriander soup – warms you up!
My favourite dish is goulash, especially if the paprika is smoked!
I love a scrag end of lamb stew with dumplings :)
Roasted butternut squash soup
broth and dumplings
tatty hash…pure scottish recipe which is served with pickled red cabbage brown sauce and big chunk of crusty white bread…ah heaven!
Butternut squash soup
Beef or chicken stews always warm my heart
Chicken stew is my favourite
i love shepards pie and beef stew
Pumpkin Pie.
My Mum’s apple pie it;s so comforting & warming at this time of year
Cheese and potato pie
Bangers and mash and Yorkshire parkin.
beef casserole with dumplings
bangers and mash, and lots of gravy. I often add something fun into the mash like peas, or carrots
I make cheese and tomato pasta bake
Three-Mustard Sausage Casserole.
I’d have to say something warm and cosy like a smooth pumpkin and chilli soup.
If you love red wine as much as shepherd’s pie, I’d recommend trying out the traditional Irish shepherd pie recipe. The wine gives the pie a nice bold flavor, perfect for autumn.
A spicy tagine with lots of sweet potato and apricots plus lots of fresh ginger (which needs a good microplane if you want to keep your fingers!).
i love pumpkin soup!
lancashire hot pot
I love pumpkin soup
Beef stew and dumplings
I love Fife Miner’s stew
Beef lobby
Chicken and mushroom pie
Parsnip cake
Nigel slaters chicken and leek pie x
Baked apples with a Dorset Cereals chocolate cherry granola filling and caramel sauce.
my favourite autumn recipe is moussaka
Butternut squash risotto with sage, delicious and warming.
spicy parsnip soup
Irish stew & dumplings with a pince of chilli
Chicken pie
Chorizo sausage and bean stew x
I love goulash
Welsh cawl
Baked apples with cinnamon and brown sugar.
Beef stew with herby dumplings does it for me
lamb tagine
Red wine stew with beef
Sausage and chorizo goulash
Stew & dumplings
Homemade Chilli Con Carne always nice winter meal
Chicken and mushroom risotto with loads of parmesan cheese
My favourite Autumn recipe is spiced pumpkin cake.
I like butternut squash soup :D xxx
staffordshire lobby is perfect bonfire night food with plenty of crusty bread :)
Favourite autumn recipe has to be steak and chorizo chilli, a Lisa Faulkner recipe I’ve been using for years, A Microplane set would definitely make all the grated garlic the recipe requires that much easier… : )
Roasted red pepper soup
Beef keema! I know it should be lamb, but it’s so hard to get lean lamb mince, so I make it with beef, and add butternut squash & lots of lovely warming spices. Perfect for a cold night!
sausage casserole!
Chicken and bacon risotto
This time of year is when my slow cooker starts to earn its place in the kitchen. Turkey meatballs are a favourite!
I love cheese and potato pie
homemade onion soup with carrots, garlic black pepper fresh ginger pasta and of course onions
i like making risotto with butternut squash, sage and mushrooms
It’s got to be shepherds pie. Yum.
Comfort food – mixed vegetable soup with homemade sourdough bread.
Cottage pie, always hot and filling and welcomed by our family, fabulous
As a family we love Beef stew and dumplings – so filling, warm and packed full of veg.
Campfire Stew or a good root vegetable soup!
Sausage, cheesy mash and gravy is my go to autumn comfort food.
Home made soup is my favourite thing of all in the Autumn, nothing nicer after a long walk.
Chilli con carne
Butternut squash soup
I love homemade soups or anything with roasted veggies, yum
Spiced pumpkin soup or any warming soup really
sweet potato and spinach lasagna
Chicken and lentil casserole with gremolata served with crusty bread
bangers and mash x
Sausage casserole
Scouse and beetroot, then later hot chocolate
I love making pasta with roasted butternut squash, sage and gorgonzola – delicious!
For me it has to be spicy parsnip soup.
paprika chicken
Slow roasted lamb shoulder with autumn veggies
I love Hungarian mushroom soup served with sourdough bread and lots of butter!
What a fun giveaway! Thank you! :)
i always enjoy chicken casserole
I love my homemade Lasagne :)
spicy tomato soup
my favourite Autumn recipe is slow roasted beef with noodles and sundried tomatoes,, yummy!
I absolutely love apple and blackberry crumble in Autumn and have been known to have a bowl of it for breakfast too! :)
Slow cooked lamb tagine!
Beef stew
stews or anything with gravy
Am I allowed to say Blackberry and Apple Crumble?!
Savoury dish would be chicken or beef stew with dumplings but given the choice of that or the apple crumple for dinner- I’d have the crumble…
has to be beef stew
Oxtail stew with loads of seasonal vegetables
Beef stew with dumplings
Love beef stew and dumplings
A nice stew
A lovely warming stew followed by an apple crumble with custard.
potato and leek soup
Beef Stew
steak and ale casserole
I love Roast Butternut Squash risotto in the autumn months
Butternut squash and red pepper soup….everytime!
Red wine Stew
lasagne :)
Has to be a beef stew.
Beef stew, simmering all day in the slow cooker.
A hearty and warming sausage casserole
I love making traditional mince pies with a layer of custard inside in Autumn
slow cooked beef curry :)
Butternut, sage & goat cheese risotto
I love leek and potato soup
Home made soup!
I love beef stew and dumplings, amazing winter food
chicken stew and dumplings
I think this carbonara might be about to become my favourite recipe for all year round :)
A beef bologognese, can’t beat it for a hearty warming meal
Lentil soup, with a dab of fresh lemon squeezed into it.
Stew and dumplings
braising steak and mash
Pork and apple cobbler using autumn windfalls and cooked in the slow cooker :)
Apple and plum crumble
Beef stew.
My mum’s chicken casserole recipe is great for this time of year
Beef stew and dumplings
I love a beef stew with root veg!
Spicy roasted butternut squash and sausages
Chicken Curry
apple crumble
Blackberry and apple crumble
Chicken Casserole
Chicken stew with dumplings xx
Apple and Rhubarb crumble is my absolute favourite autumn recipe
Home made lamb hot pot
Spaghetti bolognese
Something warm and comforting like a rich beef casserole
I like to make a nice warming chicken soup
beef stew with dumplings
love Cottage Pie
Tomato Soup ….. with slabs of thick crusty bread
Has to be beef stew and dumplings
Cottage Pie! Love it on a Sunday instead of a Roast dinner :)
Thanks
xx
I’m just slightly everso addicted to mac’n’cheese !!
For me it’s got to be a good home made shepherds pie. So warm and hearty x
Shepherds pie
we like Goulash
lentil soup
it has to be beef stew and dumplings! Hearty food!
Cottage Pie!
Homemade vegetable curry :) x
butternut soup with a hint of chili
Butternut squash and bacon soup with buttered sourdough bread
Lamb casserole is always a winner with my family, clean plates all round.