Tomato, Chorizo and Pea Pasta

The second of my affordable weeknight recipes is a Tomato, Chorizo and Pea pasta for one. Made completely by chance, and open to your own interpretation, all of the ingredients were already to be found in my kitchen. When Ben works in the evening, I always find it really hard to work out what to cook for myself, I always prefer cooking for someone else rather then just for me. When I do create meals for one, they tend to be made with things that can be found in the house – sometimes this experimentation comes out great, and sometimes not so tasty. Luckily, on this occasion the balance of flavours was spot on, with the chorizo providing smokiness, the celery a little crunch, and the peas a burst of sweetness.

Serves 1

5 slices of chorizo sausage, roughly chopped

1 small stick of celery, chopped

½ an onion, thinly sliced

1 clove garlic, peeled and finely chopped

1 tsp dried oregano

a small handful chopped fresh basil, plus more to serve

Seasoning

Around 3 tbsp pasatta, depending on how saucy you like it

A handful of frozen peas

Enough pasta for one

1. Over a low heat and in a saucepan, gently cook the onion in a little olive oil. After 5 minutes, add the garlic, chorizo and celery and continue to cook gently for around 10 minutes, stirring regularly. Pour over the passatta and add the oregano, basil and season to taste.
2. Cook the pasta according to packet instructions, and when it is about 5 minutes from being ready, add the frozen peas to the sauce. Stir, and once the pasta is ready and drained, serve the sauce over the top, and garnish with a little more basil.