House full of blokes

We've been gradually improving our patio area at the back of the house. The vision is to create an outdoor living space and the eventual plan is an outdoor kitchen area including a pizza oven, BBQ, gas hob and a stainless steel sink bench.  The pizza oven etc. are still on the to do list - but we've made huge progress on the flow from the kitchen and dining room into the garden.  The herb garden full of lovely soft herbs- basil, coriander, mint, sage and oregano is just outside the kitchen door.  Lovely blue pots with red petunias draw the eye outside from the dining room and onto the patio. The raised bed filled with flowering perennials will provide a lovely contrast to the white painted trellis as they grow and fill the space. The shade sail provides privacy and much needed relief from the fierce Central Otago sun. And it all looks great from the bifold kitchen windows. 

Cupboard love is always alive and well in my home when lasagne is on the menu. This family fave is tasty and filling and always hits the mark - particularly good for feeding a crowd. Serves 6 For the bolognaise sauce 1kg beef mince Olive oil  1 medium onion diced  1 clove garlic crushed 140g tub tomato paste Can tomatoes in juice 1 tsp Italian herb mix 1tsp beef stick powder or 1 stock cube Salt and pepper to season Optional - diced mushroom & capsicum Cook onion and garlic in olive oil in a large pan until soft (5-7 minutes) Increase heat and fry off mince until it is browned and separated (Add mushroom & diced capsicum if using).  Add tomato paste and fry with mince.  Add canned tomatoes (chop if needed) Add herbs and seasoning, mix through and simmer stirring occasionally for 15-20 mins while you make the white sauce.  For the white sauce 50g butter 1/4 cup plain white flour 1 tsp chicken stock powder or 1 chicken s