A Day at the Forest : Bacon Noodles

After spending Saturday morning working we decided to get out and take the kids for an adventure, before settling down for more work in the afternoon (my clever hubby illustrates for a kids magazine).

Living only 15 minutes from the Maramarua pine forests it means we have great place to explore with the kids.  Yesterday we found a really good spot.  Good parking on gravel with plenty of room to get the kids out of the car, not wade around knee deep in wet grass like we usually are.  On entering the forest we found a well used track that wound up the hill.  We soon discovered why it was so well worn, the track is used for placing bait and traps for possums.  We were glad our dog was prepared with a muzzle - for just such an thing on our adventure.  After continuing up the hill and filling up a chicken feed bag with pine cones we decided to venture over to an area of fern and eucalyptus trees - leaving our pinecones to collect on our return.  The boys found sticks and straight away starting wacking rotten logs and stomping on rotten stumps - like little boys should.  We kept following a path past the ferns and through more pine forest which eventually lead to a beutiful little sunny grove with a pond and autumn trees.  An unexpected surprise in a pine forest.  We followed the track around the pond, past a big pile of dead possoms, from a nasty looking trap that snaps their necks, and found ourselves walking up the ridge of the hill.

Following the ridge of the hill to the top took us well past our starting position, so a little bit of crashing through the bush downhill - well away from any tracks - was needed to get us back to our bag or pine cones.  By this time, nearly 2 hours since we set off, the kids could barely stand.  They were exhusted, but still happy to be exploring the bush.  So with pine cones retreved and armfuls of tired babies we set of down the trail to the car.

After such a big adventure we were all set for a big hearty dinner - I just didn't have the energy to cook one.  Something easy, tasty and satisfiy was in order.  So I whipped up bacon noodles - I say noodles but it was spaghetti, but that's what Mr 3 calls them.

Bacon 'Noodles'
Serves Four

250g Spaghetti


1T Butter
200g Bacon, Diced
1 Onion, Diced
2T Plain Flour
2C Skim Milk
Pepper
7 Dried Sage Leaves (I have some from my garden this summer)

Bring a large pot of salted water to the boil and cook spaghetti.  I added some diced carrot for a bit of vege.
Over medium heat melt the butter.  Add bacon and onion and cook till soft.  Stir in flour and cook until it starts to stick to the base of the pan.  Slowly stir in milk to make a sauce.  Add remaining ingredients and bring to a gentle simmer.  Cook for 5 minutes longer.  Drain pasta - and any veges you've added - and stir into sauce.