Volunteering During Lockdown in Gateshead

Just by chance I found an organisation in Gateshead that were looking for volunteers to help make and distribute meals to families in Gateshead during lock down so I offered my time to the group.  I started volunteering at the Elgin centre, preparing meals for local families during the pandemic. I have not been able to do my usual Home Economist and Food Styling work, so volunteering during lock down has been such a rewarding experience.

There are lots of  families who are  struggling to prepare healthy meals, so we developed lots of really tasty and healthy meals for families to enjoy. Finn and Alex assisted me to prepare a range of delicious recipes including cottage pies, burritos, pasta bakes, beef ragu, chicken casserole and a range of tempting desserts.

Here is a sample recipe:

Beef Ragu with Penne

(This recipe uses up any vegetables that you have leftover in the fridge, if you don’t have exactly what is in the recipe just improvise)

 Serves 4

Ingredients

1 tbsp oil

125g onion, chopped

125g carrot, diced

1 stick celery, chopped finely

2 cloves garlic, crushed

125g courgette, diced

1tbsp tomato puree

400g can chopped tomatoes

1 tbsp dried mixed herbs

100ml vegetable stock

400g lean minced beef

1 tsp mild chilli powder

300g penne or any pasta that you have! cooked and drained

Method

1. To make the sauce: Heat the oil in a pan then add the onion, carrot and celery and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
2. Add the courgette and garlic and cook for a further 5 minutes.
3. Stir in the tomato puree, canned tomatoes, mixed herbs and vegetable stock. Cover and simmer for about 20 minutes until the vegetables are tender. Puree with an electric hand blender.
4. In another pan gently sauté the lean minced beef until it is browned then add the chilli powder and fry gently for 2 minutes.
5. Add the rescue tomato sauce and simmer gently for 20 minutes or until the mince is cooked.
6. To finish stir the pasta through the sauce and sprinkle over some parmesan shavings, if you have any or maybe just some grated cheese.

The team hard at work preparing lunches

 

https://ourgateshead.org/ways-to-help/elgin-community-kitchen-support-volunteer