Quick mushroom cabonara

Ingredients – serves 2

• 200g fresh pasta (less for dried  – about 130-150g)
• 3 saffron stigma or a pinch of dried turmeric
• 3 spring onions
• 100 g oyster mushrooms
• 3 big handfuls of spinach
• 2 eggs
• 50g parmesan cheese

Prep

The cook time isn’t long so get everything prepared first –

• Soak the saffron or turmeric in water
• Put water on to boil for the pasta
• Whisk the two eggs
• Remove the stalks from the mushrooms and dice. Tear or roughly slice the rest of the mushrooms
• Slice spring onions
• Cut or tear spinach (roughly quarter each leaf)
• Grate parmesan

Cook

Cooking the spring onion & mushrooms will take about ten minutes so put your pasta onto cook accordingly – ie for fresh pasta (3-5 mins) start the veg first but for dried pasta (10-12mins) put the pasta onto cook first.

• Saute the diced spring onions and oyster mushroom stalks in your choice of oil, ghee or butter.
• After 2-3 mins turn down the heat down and add the saffron (or turmeric) water.
• If you’re using fresh pasta put it onto cook around here.
• Cook for another 3-4 minutes until the stalks are cooked. Add more water or oil if necessary to stop the pan catching.
• Add the rest of the mushrooms and pile the spinach on top of that. Put the lid on to steam the veg at a very low heat while dealing to the pasta.  (Depending on your cook top you could even turn the element off if the ring retains enough heat at this point).
• Drain the pasta and put it back into the hot pot.
• Add the beaten eggs and use a spatula to mix them through the pasta – they will scramble.
• Add the parmesan and cooked vegetable mix and stir through.
• Season with salt and pepper, garnish with finely diced parsley or coriander and serve immediately.

Notes

• If you’re using real free range eggs they will make the pasta quite heavy (ie filling) but naturally yellow and they add their own aromatics. Season accordingly if not.
• The mushroom/saffron mix is subtle in taste.  Accompany the dish with steamed vegetables or a fresh salad to not overpower the flavours.
• Eggs and mushrooms are high in protein but add a nice steak or sausages if you can’t go without the meat!