Pasta Verde A La Francesco

Given that it was Italian week in Lidl, I got a few bits and pieces to stock the presses. Pasta, salamis, cheese and pizza mainly. There may even have been a cheeky bottle of Chianti. No fava beans insight though, you’ll be glad to hear. My Itlalian friend, Francesco, said: “trust me, eat the ricotta with some pasta”. And now, you and I, we both no that when it comes to pasta, if you’re lucky enough to get Italian advice, you take it and run to the kitchen! 

Pricing  (for 4 people):

500 g of pasta (€1.69); 250 g of ricotta (€0.99); 1 bag of spinach or kale (€0.99); 1 clove of garlic (back of the press); 1 stock cube (back of the press); 1 whisper of grated nutmeg; salt & pepper (front of the press).  This comes down to less than €1.00 per person (€0.92). Very very good value if I do say so myself!

Ingredients: 

500 g of pasta; 250 g of ricotta;  bag of spinach or kale; 1 clove of garlic; 1 vegetable stock cube; 1/4 teaspoon of grated nutmeg; salt and pepper.

Method:

Cook the pasta to taste in rolling boiling water with a sneaky vegetable for a bit of extra taste. While the pasta is cooking gently wilt the kale or spinach in a bit of butter. Drain and rinse the pasta and add it to the pan with the greens. Grate the garlic and spoon the ricotta. Let it heat through until the cheese is nicely melted and all the pasta is coated. Grate the nutmeg and season with your salt and pepper.