Cooking with Love

Silky Smoked Salmon Pasta 

Feed Me Love…. No Really… Feed ME!

In the lead up to Valentine’s Day… forget the overpriced wilting flowers! What we all really want is time spent together. And while I often feel like I am a zoo keeper feeding the animals (see the bulk quantity of pasta I use in the linked video…. How many kg of pasta? 🤪) I do appreciate the time to sit down with my kids and Mr Fabulous, even if it’s just for a few minutes. 

So rather than book a meal out, how about making something easy and special (Easy and special? SOLD!) for two at home?
❤️ Listen, I love going out for dinner (no dishes! YAY) except finding the dishes when I get home (BOO!) 

But let’s face it, Valentine’s Dinners at restaurants are for amateurs. 

Who needs a rushed early seating, or a later-than-late second seating? Heartburn for two, anyone?

At home you can put on some music… slip into and out of your heels 👠… perfect!

                        Wine me, Dine me…

My pasta with salmon, cream, and tomatoes… is all you need for a meal that will satisfy, not break the bank Almost 80% of people struggling with cost-of-living crisis, survey finds  or leave you in a sweat around sharp knives and boiling pots. 

Yet there’s nothing not indulgent here… Think silky, sensual strands of pasta…. My mouth is watering just writing this. I am really struggling not to make more saucy jokes here… oh no, make me stop…😉

From Manscaping To Tablescaping…. (What? Is this even a thing?)

• Set the stage... Take it all off. The TABLE I mean! Take off all the remnants of the to-do list. Nothing kills passion more than a smelly lunch box and pile of permission slips… Bring out the nice dishes and glassware!
• Candles are always a great idea. As the late great Anita Roddick founder of The Body Shop said- you don’t need to spend a fortune on anti-aging nonsense, just dine by candlelight… gorgeous. 
• Music is key also. What’s your fave? Mine is anything Motown. And if the kids are home, they’ll probably clear out when they see you getting all googly eyed. Nothing grosses kids out more than seeing their parents start the pre-amble to the thing that caused their very existence! #science
• Stuffed animals and overpriced roses? No thank you. What we all really want is some time together. No pressure. No agenda. Just delish food and some chat. Maybe a pair of shoes though…

Anyways here’s my salmon pasta… made with love for those you love on Valentine’s Day (next week… hint)  or any other day! https://www.instagram.com/reel/C2p-fnUMmqE/?hl=en 

The recipe below is adjusted to serve 2. And while you’re cooking, put the music on, lights down low and a glass of wine in your hand…. Or fizzy water…whatever works for you 🤍

Silky Salmon Pasta

Ingredients 

• 1 onion, chopped (I love my spinner for this…. But I broke it 😭)
• 1 garlic clove, chopped
• 1 large or two medium tomatoes, chopped
• 1 8oz/ 250g package smoked salmon
• 1 package of Philadelphia cream cheese- I like the garlic and herb one 
• 1 chicken stock cube
• Milk- to thin out the cream cheese- about 100- 150ml
• 1 lemon
• Fresh ground, black pepper, grated cheese (I use cheese- yes I do- and it’s cheddar….)
• ½ package of DeCecco Linguini or Spaghetti 

Method 

• Put a large pot of water on to boil- I always use water from the kettle- otherwise you’ll be there all day watching the pot…… Add a good whack of salt- be generous- Nigella famously said the water should  be as salty as the sea 🌊
• Put a medium/large frying pan on a medium heat. Add olive oil, onion, garlic and tomatoes. Stir to soften onions and tomatoes- about 3 mins. 
• Meanwhile in a bowl- whisk together the cream cheese and milk to the consistency of single cream. Add smoked salmon and cream to pan with tomatoes and onions.
• POT OF WATER should be boiling- add your dried pasta… the timing is key here- so make sure you put your timer on for one minute less than pasta instructions ⏰
• While pasta is cooking- put your chicken stock cube into mug, add hot water, stir with fork and add to smoked salmon mixture- turn heat down to LOW- make sure sauce doesn’t dry out- add water or milk as needed
• 🍋When the timer goes off, drag pasta with tongs directly from pot to salmon mixture. The pasta will absorb the delish sauce. Spritz with ½ lemon, add pepper and some pasta water if needed. Mix to ensure every strand of pasta is coated.
• Serve with a glass of tipple of choice- Cheers!

Bon Appetit- let me know how you get on.

Laura x