Meanwhile,cookpastainalarge
saucepan of boiling salted water for
1minutelessthanpacketinstructions.
Drain, reserving^1 / 4 cup (60ml) pasta water.
Meanwhile,meltremaining100gbutter
andremaining1tbsmilkpowderinalarge
frypan over high heat. Cook, stirring
regularly,for1-2minutesoruntilmilk
powderturnsgolden.Addprawnsand
cook, stirring occasionally, for 2 minutes
oruntilprawnsarealmostcooked.Transfer
prawns to a plate. Return pan to high heat,
add vermouth, swirling until combined.
Addpasta,prawns,lemonzestandjuice,
andreservedpastawater,andcook,
tossing,untilwellcombined.
Serveimmediately, scattered with
burntbuttercrumbs,dillsprigs,
hazelnuts and ground black pepper.
CHEAT’S MUSSELS PUTTANESCA
WITH ORECCHIETTE
SERVES 4
400g dried orecchiette pasta
(^1) / 2 cup(125ml)extravirgin olive oil,
plus extra to serve
1 onion, finely chopped
4innerpalecelerystalks,finely
chopped, pale leaves reserved
1 bunchflat-leafparsley,stalksfinely
chopped, leaves picked and chopped
25ganchovy fillets in oil, drained,
finelychopped
4 garlic cloves, crushed
(^1) / 2 cup (125ml) dry vermouth or
white wine
2 x400gcanschoppedtomatoes
150g black olives, drained
3longredchillies,halvedlengthways
110g baby capers, drained, rinsed
1kg pot-ready mussels, scrubbed,
debearded
Finely grated zest and juiceof^1 / 2 a lemon
Cookpastainalargesaucepanof
boiling,saltedwateraccording to
packet instructions.
Meanwhile,heat^1 / 3 cup(80ml)oilin
a large saucepan over high heat. Add
onionandceleryandparsleystalks,and
cook,stirringoccasionally,for4minutes
or until softened. Add anchovies, garlic
andvermouth,andcookfor2minutes
or until reduced slightly. Add tomatoes,
olives, chilli and half the capers, and
bringtotheboil.Addmusselsand
cook, covered and shaking the pan
occasionally,for3minutesoruntil
musselsstarttoopen.Transfermussels
toabowl.Stirthroughzestandjuice.
Meanwhile,heat remaining 2 tbs oil
inasmallfrypanoverhighheat.Patdry
remaining capers with paper towel and
addtopan.Cook,stirringoccasionally,for
2 minutes or until crisp, then remove with
aslottedspoonanddrainonpapertowel.
Drainpasta and, working quickly, add
pastaandmusselstotomatomixtureand
tossuntilwellcombined.Scatterover
crispy capers, parsley and celery leaves,
and drizzle with extra oil to serve.
LEEK CARBONARA CASARECCE
SERVES 4
Cookingleeksinthemicrowaveisone
of my favourite kitchen speed hacks,
as it delivers deliciously creamy and
unadulterated leekiness.
4cups(1L)chickenstock
400gdried casarecce pasta
4leeks
Pinch finely grated nutmeg
(^1) / 4 cup (60ml) extra virgin olive oil
1 onion, thinly sliced
3thickslicespancetta(substitute
speck), thinly sliced
1 tsp brown sugar
6eggs
150gfinely grated parmesan,
plus extra to serve
Bringstockand4cups(1L)watertoboil
in a large saucepan. Add pasta and cook
for1minutelessthanpacketinstructions.
Meanwhile, trim leek roots, leaving
endsintact,andplaceinamicrowave-
safebowl.Microwaveleeksonhigh,
turninghalfway,for10minutesoruntil
tender. Halve leeks, discard the outer
layer and thickly slice. Scatter with nutmeg
and cover to keep warm.
Whilepasta and leeks are cooking,
heatoilinafrypanoverhighheat.Add
onion and cook, stirring, for 5 minutes
oruntilsoftened.Addpancettaand
sugar, and cook, stirring occasionally, for
3 minutes or until starting to caramelise.
Combineeggs and parmesan in a small
bowl. Drain pasta, reserving^1 / 4 cup (60ml)
pasta water. Working quickly, return pasta
tosaucepanandaddeggmixture.Cover
andshakepanevery30secondsfor
2minutestocreateacreamysauce(add
reservedpastawaterifsauceisalittledry).
Stirthroughleeksandscatterwith
pancetta mixture, extra parmesan and
1 tsp ground black pepper to serve.
RIGATONI WITH
CHORIZO POLETTINI
SERVES 6
AlltheflavoursofSpaininapasta.You
could throw in fresh calamari or mussels.
400grigatoni
(^1) / 4 cup (60ml) extra virgin olive oil,
plus extra to serve
1 onion, finely chopped
500g fresh chorizo, casings removed
2 red capsicums, finely chopped
4 garlic cloves, crushed
2tspsweetpaprika(pimenton)
1 tbs sherry vinegar
(^1) / 4 cup (60ml) sherry
2 x400gcanscherrytomatoes
Finely grated zest of^1 / 2 an orange, mint
leaves and shaved manchego, to serve
Cookpastainalargesaucepanof
boiling,saltedwateraccording to
packet instructions.
Meanwhile,heatoilinalargefrypanover
highheat.Addonionandcook,stirring
regularly, for 4 minutes or until starting to
soften. Roll chorizo into small balls, add
to onion and cook, stirring occasionally, for
3 minutes or until browned. Add capsicum,
garlicand paprika, and cook, stirring
regularly,for2minutesoruntilfragrant.
Add vinegar and cook, stirring constantly,
for 1 minute or until reduced slightly. Add
sherryandtomatoes.Bringtotheboil,
then reduce to a simmer and cook for
4 minutestodevelopflavour.
To s spastathroughchorizomixture.
Scatterwithzest,mintandmanchego,
and drizzle with extra oil to serve.
MATT PRESTON.