HOT PASTA RECIPES RECIPES

Steps:

• 1. Use a speed-peeler to strip the top tender half of the asparagus stalks into ribbons.
  2. Finely slice the remaining stalks, discarding the woody ends.
  3. Cook the pasta in a pan of boiling salted water according to the packet instructions, then drain, reserving a mugful of cooking water.
  4. Meanwhile, roughly break the salmon into a large non-stick frying pan on a medium-high heat.
  5. Add the sliced asparagus stalks, and toss occasionally until the pasta’s ready.
  6. Finely grate half the lemon zest into the salmon pan, squeeze in half the juice, then toss in the drained pasta, a good splash of reserved cooking water and the crème fraîche.
  7. Add the asparagus ribbons, toss again, then season to perfection with sea salt and black pepper. Serve with lemon wedges, for squeezing over.

Steps:

• 1. Trim the spring onions, carrot and celery. Roughly chop all the vegetables, then blitz in the food processor with the chillies (stalks removed). Add the sausages, 1 heaped teaspoon of fennel seeds and 1 teaspoon of oregano. Keep pulsing until well mixed, then spoon this mixture into a large frying pan on a high heat with a lug of olive oil, breaking it up and stirring as you go. Keep checking on it and stirring while you get on with other jobs.
  2. Fill a large deep saucepan with boiling water. Season well then add the penne and cook according to packet instructions, with the lid askew.
  3. Crush 4 unpeeled cloves of garlic into the sausage mixture and stir in 4 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar and the tinned tomatoes. Add a little of the starchy cooking water from the pasta to loosen if needed.
  4. Drain the pasta, reserving about a wineglass worth of the cooking water. Tip the pasta into the pan of sauce and give it a gentle stir, adding enough of the cooking water to bring it to a silky consistency. Taste, correct the seasoning, then tip into a large serving bowl and take straight to the table with the Parmesan for grating over. Scatter over a few basil leaves.