Summer Bean Orecchiette with Smoked Salmon
A light pasta dish making use of the best of the season.
Portions: 4 Portions as a main or 6 Portions as a starter
Preparation: 15 minutes
Cooking: 10 minutes
Ingredients
Pasta
- 350g oreichetti
Beans
- 100g peas (200g in their pods)
- 100g broad beans, skinned* (400g in their pods)
- 75g mange tout, cut into 4
- Zest & juice 1/2 lime
To Serve
- 50g smoked salmon, finely shredded
- 2 tbsp. chives, finely chopped
- Freshly ground pepper
- 4 tbsp. virgin olive oil
Method
- Beans: In a saucepan of boiling water place the prepared broad beans and simmer for 2 minutes then add the mange tout and peas and cook for a further 1minute. Remove the beans from the saucepan and refresh in cold water. Set aside.
- Pasta: Place the pasta in a large saucepan of boiling water, cook for 5-8 minutes, stirring occasionally so that the pasta doesn't stick to the bottom. It is cooked when tender but still firm (al dente). Strain the pasta and set aside.
- To Cook: Heat the oil in a saucepan until hot then add the beans and lime zest and cook for 1 minute stirring. Remove the pan from the heat and add the pasta, lime juice, most of the smoked salmon and chives (leaving some to garnish) and a little freshly ground pepper and toss it all together well so that the ingredients are well distributed.
- To Serve: Place the pasta in 4 or 6 bowls and sprinkle over the smoked salmon and chives. Serve
- To shell and skin broad beans: Split the pods down the sides and push out the beans with your finger. Place the beans in a bowl and pour over boiling water and leave for a couple of minutes, then refresh in cold water. Split the grey skin with your finger or a little knife and push out the green bean.