Chorizo Pasta with Rocket                                                                                   Serves 4

1 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, chopped
1 red pepper, deseeded and chopped
400g tin chopped tomatoes
1 tsp oregano (or mixed herbs)
1 chicken stock cube (or stock pot)
50g mild chorizo sausage, diced
300g penne pasta (or pasta of choice)
optional: pinch of chilli flakes
To Serve: Fresh Rocket Leaves

Method

1. Cook pasta according to packet instructions.
2. Heat oil in a large heavy based frying pan.
3. Sweat the onion over a medium heat until softened.
4. Add the peppers and garlic and fry for 3 minutes.
5. Add in the oregano (or other herbs). Optional: If you would like to add a bit of spicy heat to this dish you can add in some chilli flakes (but it is not necessary if you have bought spicy chorizo).
6. Add in the chopped tomatoes.
7. Add in the stock pot and stir it until it is dissolved (alternately dissolve it in a quarter teacup of boiling water).  Add it to the tomato...

Spaghetti alla puttanesca is the ultimate fast food dish!  An iconic dish from the city of Naples, Italy.  The pasta is dressed in a rich and flavourful sauce which can be made in less time than it takes to boil a pot of linguine, spaghetti or any pasta you choose.  The basic ingredients are pantry staples including tinned tomatoes, garlic, anchovies, olives and capers.  I like to add thinly sliced carrots and since this dish should be salty, piquant and hot. and you can add extra heat with the addition of crushed chillies (another of my store cupboard favourites).

My top tip when cooking pasta, is to always use plenty of water, plenty of salt and keep the pasta on a rolling boil (not splashing!), lid off.

Because anchovies are quite salty it is unlikely that salt will be required but black pepper and perhaps a pinch of sugar to balance the acidity of tinned tomatoes will suffice as seasoning.

It is such a simple, cheap and delicious recipe.  You'll wish you found this recipe yea...