Bacon And Pea Carbonara

Ingredients

400g Pasta Bows

150g Lardons (or 8 rashesr of bacon roughly chopped)

1 Clove Garlic (thinly chopped)

150g Peas (defrosted)

300ml Double Ceam

60g Parmesan (grated)

A Splash of Oil

Small Handful Fesh Sage and Parsley (roughly torn)

Salt and Pepper

Equipment

1 Large Pan (1/2 filled with boiling salted water)

1 SHARP Knife

1 Chopping Board

1 Frying Pan

1 Wooden Spoon

The Good Bit

1. OK start by cooking your pasta to packet instructions (8-10 minutes usually) whilst that is cooking fry the bacon/lardons in a little oil until cooked then add the garlic and cook for a further 1 minute.
2. Now you want to add the cream and bring to a gentle simmer for 5 minutes, before adding the peas and cooking for another 3-4 minutes.
3. Finally, stir in the parmesan and season, drain the pasta and toss into the sauce, add your sage and parsley and serve.

Serves 4

Honey and Pistachio Nests

Ingredients

225g Pasta (spaghetti strands are best)

115g Butter

175g Pistachio Nuts (chopped)

115g Sugar

115g Honey (clear is best)

150ml Water

2 Teaspoons Lemon Juice

Greek Yoghurt to Serve

Equipment

1 Pan (with boiling slightly salted water in)

1 Pan

4 Ramekins

1 Baking Tray

The Good Bit

1. Start by cooking your pasta in the slightly salted water unti it is tender (follow packet instructions, but 8 minutes is usualy about right, try a piece to see!!) once cook, drain, toss in the butter and allow to cool a little.
2. Preheat your oven too 180c 350f gas 4. Now divide the pasta into 8 equal quantities, line the bottom of your 4 ramekins with a portion of pasta each, press it in well, top these 4 pots with half of the nuts, then push in the other 4 portions of pasta.
3. Bake these four pots on a baking tray in your oven for 45 minutes, in the meantime bring the sugar, water and honey to a boil in your other pan over a genbtle heat, turn the heat down a little and simmer for 10 minutes until all the sugar has dissolved, now add the lemon juice and simmer for a further 5 minutes.
4. Allow your nests to cool, then tip them onto your serving plate, drizzle over some of the honey syrup and sprinkle with the remaining nuts, top with a dollop of greek yogurt.

Serves 4

Saffron Bows

Ingredients
300g Pasta Bows
150ml Double Cream
25g Butter
75g Parmesan (grated)
1/2 Teaspoon Saffron Threads
Salt and Pepper

Equipment
1 Large Pan (2/3rds full with boiling salted water)
1 Sauce Pan

The Good Bit

1. Cook the pasta according to packet instructions (usually around 10 minutes), in the meantime, heat the butter in the saucepan, add the cream and saffron and bring to a gentle simmer.
2. Drain your pasta and serve, season your sauce, stir well and pour over the pasta, now sprinkle over a little parmesan.

Serves 4

Pasta Shapes with Pepperoni, Onion and Balsamic Vinegar

Ingredients
3 Large Onions (thinly sliced)
250g Pepperoni (sliced)
375g Pasta Shapes
300ml Vegetable Stock
4 Tablespoons Fresh Chopped Parsley
1 Tablespoon Balsamic Vinegar
Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper

Equipment
1 Large Pan (2/3rds full with boiling salted water)
1 SHARP Knife
1 Chopping Board
1 Frying Pan

The Good Bit

1. Start by chopping your onions and gently frying them in a splash of oil for about 40 minutes until they are very soft and just beginning to colour.
2. OK now cook your pasta according to the packet instructions, usually about 10 minutes but that does depend on the shape! I always try a piece to see if it needs longer, do your best not to over do the pasta.
3. Now whilst the pasta is cooking, chuck the pepperoni in with the onions and turn up the heat a little, cook for about a minute, now pour in your stock and add the parsley and vinegar and season with salt and pepper.
4. Drain your pasta and return it to the pan, toss in the pour and give a good stir to make sure it is well mixed, serve.

Serves 4

Special Occasion Lamb and Pasta

Ingredients
2 Lamb Fillets
2 Red Onions (quartered)
4 Cloves Garlic (chopped as thin as possible)
A Few Rosemary Sprigs
1 Tablespoon Chopped Rosemary
Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper
Freshly Cooked Pasta to Serve
Parmesan and Parsley to Garnish

Equipment
1 SHARP Knife
1 Chopping Board
1 Griddle or Non Stick Frying Pan
1 Large Pan (2/3 rds full with boiling salted water for the pasta)
Pestle and Mortar (or bowl and spoon)

The Good Bit

1. Make small cuts all over the lamb fillets, and then push the thin garlic slices and rosemary sprigs into them, you want to put the fillets onto an all ready hot griddle pan and cook turning occasionally until sealed and charred all over (20 minutes for rare, 30 for medium and 40 for well done) for the last 10 minutes of cooking add the quartered onions.
2. Put the chopped rosemary in your pestle and add a good splash of oil (4 tablespoons roughly) work well and season.
3. Give the lamb 5 minutes before you cut it to rest, cut into strips and drizzle over the seasoned oil, add the onions and serve with pasta, for that special touch garnish with parmesan and chopped fresh parsley.
   

Serves 4

Thai Red Curry and Prawn Pasta

Ingredients
500g Frozen Prawns
1 Teaspoon Thai Red Curry Paste
4 Cloves Garlic (finely chopped)
2 Large Tomatoes (skinned and de seeded)
180ml White Wine
1 Lime (juiced and zested)
2 Tablespoons Fresh Coriander (roughly chopped)
180g Pasta (whatever takes your fancy, shells/bows, spaghetti
Salt and Pepper to Serve
Lime Wedges to Serve
A Splash of Oil

Equipment
1 SHARP Knife
1 Chopping Board
1 Large Pan (2/3rds full with boiling salted water)
1 Bowl
1 Large Frying Pan
1 Zester
1 Wooden Spoon

The Good Bit

1. Cover the prawns in the curry paste and leave to marinate over night in a bowl.
2. Heat the oil in the frying pan and cook the garlic until it just begins to colour, then add the tomatoes, wine zest and juice of the lime, bring this to the boil and then reduce until you have a gentle simmer, allow to simmer for about 8 minutes, then add the prawns.
   
3. Start Your pasta and cook according to packet instructions (depending on type of pasta, 8-15 minutes), when this is ready (the pasta should break easily when pushed against the side of a pan with a wooden spoon) drain the pan then tip the pasta into the frying pan and mix well, drop in the coriander, season and serve (i avoid spaghetti as it is not as easy to get out of the pan as shells/bows and twists are)
   

Serves 4

Beef and Pasta Bows

Ingredients
300g Pasta Bows
350g Minced Beef
1 Onion (finely chopped)
2 Cloves Garlic (finely chopped)
1 Courgette (chopped into chunks)
1 Carrot (diced)
1 Red Pepper (cored de seeded and chopped into chunks)
125g Button Mushrooms (quartered)
250ml Red Wine
1x400g Can Chopped Tomatoes
3 Tablespoons Fresh Parsley (roughly chopped)
2 Tablespoons Fresh Basil (roughly chopped)

Equipment
1 SHARP Knife
1 Chopping Board
1 Large Pan (2/3 rds full with boiling salted water)
1 Large Frying Pan
1 Spatula
1 Colander

The Good Bit

1. Cook the pasta according to packet instructions (usually about 10 minutes) when the pasta is just beginning to go soft, drain the in the colander and set aside.
2. In the frying pan stir fry the beef and onion until the meat is browned (about 8 minutes) then add in the rest of the vegetables and cook until they are soft and tender (about 6 minutes) then add in the red wine and cook until all the liquid has gone.
3. Add in the tomatoes (and a few chopped ones to if you want to fill the meal out a little) and simmer for 5 minutes, adjust the seasoning then add in the herbs and pasta, reheat quickly and serve.
   

Serves 4

Meatballs With Cheese

Ingredients
450g Minced Pork
8 Spring Onions Thinly chopped)
4 Cloves Garlic (thinly chopped)
2 Red Chillies (de seeded and thinly chopped)
300g Pasta
2 400g Cans Chopped Tomatoes
4 Tablespoons Parmesan (grated)
1 Teaspoon Dried Thyme (or 2 teaspoons fresh)
200ml Red Wine
2 Bay Leaves
A Splash of Oil
A Pinch of Sugar
Salt and Pepper to Season

Equipment
1 SHARP Knife
1 Chopping Board
1 Mixing Bowl
1 Wooden Spoon
1 Large Pan
1 Large Pan (2/3rds full with boiling salted water)

The Good Bit

1. Mix the mince, onion, garlic, chilli, parmesan, thyme and a good sprinkle of salt and pepper together, then shape into 24 small balls. Heat the oil in the pan and place in the balls and cook for 3-4 minutes until browned evenly, then pop in the red wine for and boil hard for 2 minutes.
2. Meanwhile cook your pasta to packet instructions, usually about 8-10 minutes. When the red wine has had it's 2 minutes, reduce the heat and pour in the tomatoes along with the bay leaves, the sugar and some more salt and pepper, bring back to the boil and simmer for 10 minutes.
3. Drain your pasta, then spoon in a little of the sauce from the other pan, swirl round well to coat the pasta then serve and top off with the meatballs and the rest of the sauce.
   

Serves 4

Crab and Avocado Bows

Ingredients
350g Pasta Bows (any pasta will do, bows just look nice)
1 Small Red Onion (finely chopped)
4 Tomatoes (cut the seeds out and dice the rest)
1 Avocado (peeled, stoned and finely diced)
A Good Handful Fresh Coriander
Juice of 1 Lime
1/2 Teaspoon Chilli Powder
1 175g Can of Crab Meat (or use fresh if you have some spare)
Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper

Equipment
1 Large Bowl
A SHARP Knife
1 Chopping Board
Juicer
1 Wooden Spoon
1 Spatula

The Good Bit

1. Cook the pasta according to packet instructions (usually 10-15 minutes) in lightly salted water.
2. Mix together, the finely chopped onion, the diced avocado, tomato and chopped coriander, add in your lime juice juice and a splash of olive oil.
3. Once the pasta is cooked drain the pan, chuck in the drained crab meat and the chili powder and heat through for about 2 minutes stirring well then add the advocado mixture and give another good stir, season then serve.

Serves 4