Monday, 6 November 2006

Joan Collins' Pasta Primavera

Joan says: 'This is a scrumptious and healthy vegetarian dish that children will savour'

Ingredients

5Og/2oz wholemeal penne pasta
1 broccoli head
2 medium-sized onions
2 medium-sized courgettes
8 large mushrooms
2 large tomatoes
2 cloves garlic
Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Method

1 Cook the pasta in boiling water for 12 mins (until al dente). Drain and refresh with boiling water (removing excess starch). Break the broccoli head into florets and cook in a steamer or a colander over boiling water. Steam for approx 7 mins (so the broccoli's cooked, but still crunchy).
2 Chop the onions coarsely and sauté in a little butter until soft. (If you have a microwave no butter is needed. Put the onions in a bowl with about ½in of water. Cover with cling film and microwave at full power for 2½ mins. When cooked, drain). Add onions to the broccoli.
3 Wash the courgettes and cut into 2in strips. Cook in the steamer for about 5 mins or boil in water until cooked, but not too soft.
6 Clean the mushrooms with a little salt and kitchen paper (or you can peel them). Place under a hot grill for a few mins. Drain on kitchen paper. When cooked, cut into large chunks.
7 Place the tomatoes in boiling water for 10 secs, then transfer immediately to cold water. This allows you to remove the skin. Quarter and cut each quarter in half again, then remove the seeds.
8 Crush the garlic and add to the vegetables. Season with salt and pepper.
9 Add the vegetables (except the broccoli) to the pasta and reheat gently in a saucepan.
Place the broccoli back in the steamer for 1 min to reheat and then carefully add to the hot pasta and vegetables. This prevents the broccoli from breaking up.
10 Add a little grated Parmesan for more flavour, but this isn't essential, and serve warm – not too hot.

Taken from The You Are What You Are Cookbook (£7.99, Accent Press). All profits from this book go to support Beds Garden Carers – a charity for adults with learning disabilities. For more info, visit www.bedsgardencarers.org.uk or call 01234 352899.