Paris may be the most romantic city on the planet but a few years ago I managed to get a most unromantic bout of vicious food poisoning while there on a – you guessed it – romantic weekend. I will spare you the horrific details but let’s just say that I emerged on a Sunday morning kitten-weak and slightly shell shocked. Determined not to let the events of the night before ruin our last day we stumbled into a wine bar/restaurant. My husband (who had escaped unscathed) ordered a full meal but I pathetically asked for the most basic thing I could handle – plain pasta.
The restaurant owner was most sympathetic and the plain pasta I ordered ended up being an incredibly delicious plate of spaghetti tossed with butter, herbs and a little garlic. To this day whenever I feel under the weather or in need of comfort I remember that dish. Luckily you don’t have to be recovering from anything in order to enjoy a plate of carb heaven – and it is an incredibly easy and quick meal to throw together.
This time I decided to use the purple sprouting broccoli my neighbour brought over from his garden and the black garlic Sainsbury’s had sent me. Basically an aged white garlic that has a much more mellow, molasses-balsamic flavour it adds a sweet/savoury edge to sauces and is highly addictive! You can make this dish with fresh garlic instead – it will have a slightly different, but no less delicious, taste. You can use any spring vegetables instead of the sprouting broccoli – asparagus and peas being ideal replacements. Just make sure not to overcook the vegetables – plunging them in cold water after cooking will help them keep their bright green colour.
Since we moved into the new kitchen I have fallen in love with my Tefal Ingenio set all over again – had to shelve them temporarily while cooking on a portable induction hob. Now I have thrown out all my old pots (such a relief!) and am just using the Ingenio set and a couple of specialist pots and pans. Tefal are offering one very lucky Supergolden Bakes reader the chance to win an amazing 13-piece Tefal Ingenio Induction set worth £250. Scroll down to the bottom of the post for details on how to enter this fab giveaway.
Spring pasta with sprouting broccoli and black garlic
Serves 2 generously
400g | 14oz orecchiette (or pasta shapes of your choice)
200g | 7oz purple sprouting broccoli
60g | 2oz grated Parmesan & more to sprinkle over the dish
3-4 tbsp double cream
2 tbsp flat-leaf parsley, very finely chopped
1 tbsp unsalted butter
splash virgin olive oil
2 cloves black garlic, sliced thinly
squeeze of lemon
Salt and freshly ground pepper
Method
- Bring a pot of water to the boil and add 1/2 tsp salt. Cook the broccoli until al dente – 3-4 minutes – drain and plunge into cold water. Set aside.
- Cook the pasta according to the packet instructions. Rinse and drain then set aside.
- Heat a little butter and splash of olive oil in the same pot you used for the pasta. Add the Parmesan, cream, parsley, garlic and lemon juice and stir for a couple of minutes.
- Add the broccoli and pasta and stir to coat. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Serve with a little extra Parmesan coarsely grated over the top.
Disclaimer: I was asked by Sainsbury’s to create a recipe using black garlic and was compensated for the cost of the ingredients.
Win a 13-piece Ingenio set worth £180
> One winner will receive a 13-piece Tefal Ingenio Induction set worth £250. The complete set comprises of: 16 and 20cm saucepans; 22 and 28cm frying pans; a 26cm sauté pan, 26cm wok; 16, 20 and 26cm glass lids; 16 and 20cm plastic lids; two bakelite handles.
Gemma holland says
Love the recipe. Pasta has always been my "go to" saviour when I'm stuck for meal inspiration!
Rose that grew from concrete says
Fantastic prize, and the recipe looks so yummy- would love to try making this
Irene Gilmour says
great giveaway
The Bargainista says
This is such a gorgeous blog – very happy to have found it
tishist says
Need a new set of pans so would love to win
Keshia Esgate says
mmm that looks delicious!! x
James Holyland says
Makes you WANT to cook!
AlisonM says
We have just invested in an induction hob so this set would be fab! Fingers crossed and thank you for such a lovely generous giveaway 🙂
Rebecca smith says
Would love to win this set and will definitely be trying this recipe too
Christina Hodson says
Great recipes, would love to try it. Fantastic prize to match too. Thanks
Christina Hodson says
Tasty recipes and I will be try it SOON. Great giveaway and set of saucepans is fantastic
cissybo says
looks lovely
elff73 says
I could make so many scrummy, yummy, things, just perfect for my families tummy
Argent says
This looks delicious, I will certainly be trying it!
Sarah Lewis says
Fabulous set! Would love to win
Isis1981uk says
I so need this, our baking wear is pitiful!
Maddie Jasinska says
Awesome 🙂
Kerry Lethbridge says
That recipes sounds delicious can't wait to try it
Sally hale says
Great giveaway 🙂
Janet Carter says
Fab giveaway