An absolute treat perfect for those busy/lazy days when no longer than 20 minutes shall be spent in the kitchen

Portions:

Generous for three on its own; perfect for four with a side salad (I love some arugula and baby plum tomatoes with this) or sauteed asparagus, mushrooms and green beans 

Ingredients:

250 grams of spaghetti

Water to cook the pasta

1 tbsp salt

4 tbsp of olive oil

5-6 cloves of garlic, thinly sliced

1/2 tsp of chilli flakes

300 grams of assorted seafood; fresh is great, precooked works wonderfully as well. I have used precooked scrimps, a fillet of sea bass cut in 1 inch pieces and some crab meat. Use any kind or combination of seafood available to you.

30-40 grams of Parmesan, grated

2 tbsp of flat leaf parsley, roughly chopped

Method:

First things first, place a pot of water to boil to cook the pasta and add salt when it comes to a rolling boil.

Cook the pasta as per packet instructions until al dente and drain it. Remember to reserve about 2-3 tbsp of the starchy water.

Meanwhile, place another pan on high and add 2 tsp of oil.

While the oil heats up, pat the pieces of fish dry with a kitchen towel , rub a pinch of salt and dust with a little bit of flour and place in a single layer on the pan and fry for 2 minutes without moving them.

Now turn them over very gently and cook for another 2 minutes.

Once done, take them off the pan and set aside.

Add in the prawns to the hot pan to warm them through for 1 minute. If you are using fresh shrimps or/ squid , add a tsp of oil and cook the seafood for 1. 5 minutes each side without crowding the pan until they are opaque. Cook them in batches if you have to.

Don’t worry about warming the crab meat; it warms up sufficiently once all of the seafood is tossed with the prepared pasta.

Now set aside all of the seafood, reduce the heat to medium low and after about 30 seconds, add in the remaining olive oil and the thin slices of garlic.

In about 4-5 minutes, when the oil is wonderfully aromatic and garlic has softened, throw in the chilli flakes to sizzle for 30 seconds and add the spaghetti.

Increase the heat to high and start tossing immediately.

Once you have tossed all of the pasta well in the garlic and chili flavoured oil , throw in the starchy water, add the cheese and toss very well for a minute until the water thickens and the cheese blends in with the pasta.

Add in the prepared seafood and the chopped parsley.

Toss to combine well and turn the heat off.

Serve on warm plates, grate a bit more Parmesan if you desire and enjoy!