Salmon and Pea Penne

You can make this creamy salmon and pea dish in the time it takes to cook the pasta, and all the ingredients are easy to find. This recipe will serve 2 people, possibly with a bit leftover for seconds. You can add some chopped parsley or chives at the end if you have them to hand.

Ingredients:

• 200g penne pasta
• 2 salmon fillets
• 4 spring onions, sliced
• 250g frozen peas
• 250g quark
• Juice and zest of a lemon
• Plenty of fresh black pepper
• Salt

Method:

• Begin by putting the pasta on to cook in lots of boiling, salted water.
• While the pasta is cooking, heat the frozen peas in the microwave by adding a little water to a bowl and covering with cling film. Heat on high for 4 minutes then set aside.
• Steam the salmon by adding a couple of teaspoons of water to a bowl or plate then cover the salmon with clingfilm. Cook for 4 minutes then when cool enough to handle, remove the skin and set aside.
• In a large bowl, combine the quark, spring onion, lemon zest* and lemon juice. Mix well and season with lots of black pepper and a big pinch of salt.
• Flake the salmon slightly then add to the quark mixture along with the peas.
• Once the pasta is cooked, transfer directly to the mixture with a slotted spoon (don’t drain).
• Mix well but gently until everything is combined.
• Taste and add more salt and pepper if you like.
• Eat!

*if you don’t own a zester, you can use a speed peeler to take off the zest of the lemon. Just be gentle so you don’t get any of the white pith and chop as finely as you can before adding to the dish.