Mary’s fab fast feasts: Spaghetti with salmon, chilli and white wine 

Light and fresh, this is an ideal dish for a summer’s evening and always goes down well.

SERVES 4

PREP TIME: 10  MINUTES

COOK TIME: 12-15 MINUTES

300g (11oz) spaghetti

150ml (5fl oz) white wine

2 hot-smoked salmon fillets, skinned and sliced into large strips (see note)

4 tbsp olive oil

2 banana shallots, thinly sliced

1 fresh red chilli, deseeded and diced

3 tbsp chopped parsley

1 heaped tbsp chopped tarragon leaves

juice of ½ lemon

freshly grated Parmesan, to serve (optional)

• Cook the spaghetti in boiling salted water according to the packet instructions, then drain, reserving some of the cooking water.
• Meanwhile, pour the wine into a wide saucepan, cover with a lid and bring to the boil. Add the salmon, cover again with the lid and gently simmer for 3-4 minutes until the fish is just cooked. Remove from the heat and set aside.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a large frying pan. Add the shallots and fry over a medium heat for 5 minutes. Add the chilli and fry for a further 15 seconds.
• Remove the salmon from the pan with a slotted spoon and set aside.
• Pour the wine from the pan into the shallot mixture, then add the drained spaghetti with the salmon, chopped herbs, lemon juice and remaining oil. Season with salt and pepper, add a good splash of the reserved cooking water to loosen the sauce, if needed, and gently toss over the heat for a few minutes (see note).
• Serve with some grated Parmesan, if you like.

COOK’S NOTES 

• Use standard fresh salmon fillets, if you prefer.
• Be careful not to toss too energetically, as you want to keep the salmon in large pieces.

PREPARE AHEAD

Best served straight away.

FREEZE 

Not suitable for freezing.