This is a family favourite, a classic dish that is the stalwart of many family meals so we should look at modifying it to make it suitable for ALL the family – even those with IBS. Whilst I would not advocate everyone following a low fodmap diet if they don’t need too, the occasional meal where everyone can participate without faffing around cooking some items separately is a bonus. This will make the meal slightly more expensive using gluten free pasta but is maybe worth it occasionally. It is not likely to be harmful for others to eat gluten free pasta occasionally as long as people do not go fully gluten free or low fodmap without good reason (a diagnosis of coeliac disease or a diagnosis of IBS when coeliac disease has been tested negative on a gluten containing diet.)
Passata
1 jar of roasted peppers (or roast 3-4 of your own, then skin them)
4 tomatoes
a handful of basil
1-2 teaspoons of dried thyme and basil
Salt and black pepper to taste
Method
Blend this with a hand blender till smooth – add some water if this is too thick.
Bolognese Sauce
1 dessert spoon of garlic infused oil
600g of lean minced beef*
Passata (above)
2 teaspoons of gluten free flour + water
method
Add the oil to the pan and fry the meat with 3 dessert spoons of the passata.
Add the remaining passata to a pan
Add two teaspoons of gluten free or corn flour and water mixed till smooth
Cook this till thickened and add to the meat.
Cook till tender.
Spaghetti
You do need to watch gluten free spaghetti and keep it moving when cooking to prevent it from sticking. Use the method advised on the packet and add to a large pan of boiling water. Keep testing it – it should be ready at the point it is still relatively firm but soft enough to eat, take care not to overcook it.
Add the spaghetti and bolognese to the dish to serve and top with a little grated Parmesan cheese.
Serves 6
*If you find that red meat causes symptoms of IBS choose lean and a small portion – or you could also use 1/2 beef and 1/2 turkey to reduce the amount of red meat contained in the dish.
Clinical Alimentary 