PASTA WITH GREEN VEGETABLES RECIPES

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the fettuccine according to the packet directions.

While the pasta is cooking, heat a very large frying pan over medium heat and add the olive oil, garlic and onion. Cook for about 4 minutes, stirring frequently, until the garlic and onion are softened, fragrant and slightly browned. Add the broccoli, asparagus, beans and peas and toss to coat in the oil. Season well with salt, add the chicken stock or water and simmer for a few minutes until the vegetables have just softened. Add the cream and stir to combine.

When the fettuccine is al dente, set aside ¼ cup of the pasta water, drain the pot and transfer the pasta straight to the vegetable mixture. Add the spinach leaves, basil and the ¼ cup parmesan and mix very well, until the creamy sauce coats the pasta and vegetables. Serve with black pepper and additional parmesan cheese. 

1. Trim and slice the spring onions. Trim the leek, halve it lengthways, wash it, then finely slice. Finely slice the broccoli stalks, reserving the tips.
2. Put a large, non-stick, shallow casserole pan on a medium heat.
3. Put 1 tablespoon of olive oil into the pan, with the spring onions, leeks and broccoli stalks. Peel and finely chop the garlic and add to the pan.
4. Add the frozen spinach and peas, then add a pinch of sea salt and black pepper.
5. Cook for 10 to 15 minutes, or until soft but not coloured and the spinach has defrosted, stirring regularly.
6. Meanwhile, cook the pasta in a large pan of boiling salted water, according to the packet instructions, adding the broccoli florets for the last 2 minutes.
7. While everything is ticking away, finely grate the Parmesan.
8. Scoop or pour out about 200ml of cooking water from the pasta into your veg pan. Now, you can either leave your sauce chunky, blitz it until smooth in a blender, or use a hand blender to go somewhere in between – it’s up to you.
9. Drain the pasta and broccoli, and tip it into the sauce. Add 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil and the grated Parmesan, and toss it all together.
10. I like to finish this with a sprinkling of fresh herbs – parsley, basil, thyme, whatever you’ve got. A little extra grating of Parmesan is always nice, and a big salad on the side.