Valentines Day! That day that if you’re single you either organize a large party, hit the town or declare that “you’re not looking for anyone right now” to anyone who will listen. You retire to the couch for a night of Netflix and Carbonara (and some sobbing depending on your movie choice and state of mind at the time). If you are partnered up, one of you trawls the internet trying to find something inventive, romantic and unlike anyone else’s evening but will inadvertently end up at the outdoor movies with a picnic watching “Love Actually” with every other couple in Perth. This fine swine doesn’t really get into the romance of Valentine’s Day – give this Piglet Christmas over Valentine’s Day any day! However, it acknowledges that there will be a few clever swine’s out there who won’t bow to the pressure of booking into an overpriced outing with a set menu and instead will cook their beloved (or just themselves) a delightful meal at home.
Now the key to a romantic dinner (for 1 or 2) is to have very glamorous fare that is actually super quick and easy to whip up. No one wants to sit down, sweaty and exhausted, after they have cooked a 19-course degustation, no matter how delicious it was! So, This Little Pig suggests a light prawn pasta that can be whipped together in minutes and washed down with a crisp Riesling or Pinot Grigo whilst you murmur sweet nothings in each others ear. Crank Barry White, chill the vino and take off all clothing for best results (especially in this weather – you’d be mad to wear clothes at all at the moment), this is one romantic, delicious and easy dinner. Oink!
Chilli & Garlic Prawn Pasta
Feeds: 2 Romantic Piglets
Prep Time: 5 Mins. Cooking Time: 15 Mins.
Ingredients of Romance:
Love (obviously)
270g x Prawn Flesh
1 x Parsley Bunch
1 x Lemon
4 x Garlic Cloves
½ x Cup of White Wine (the rest of the bottle won’t last, alas you must drink it all piglet!)
1 x Fresh Chilli
½ -1 Tsp x Chilli Flakes
3 x Tbs Olive Oil
250g x Angel Hair Pasta
30g x Butter
50g x Parmesan
Good scrunches of Salt & Pepper
Method of Romance:
- Be charming (obviously), chatty but not too chatty and above all do not mention politics dear piglet.
- Fill a medium pot with water and bring to the boil.
- Skin and finely slice your garlic (4).
- Finely dice your parsley (1) and finely slice your chilli (removing the seeds first).
- Drop your pasta into the boiling water and allow to boil away until al dente.
- Heat your olive oil (1 Tbs) and butter (30g) until gently bubbling.
- Add in your garlic cloves and cook until starting to turn golden.
- Pour in your prawns (270g) and stir-fry for around 1 min until no longer translucent (just).
- Pour in your white wine (1/2 cup) and chilli flakes (1/2-1 Tsp depending on your chilli-o-meter) and stir-fry for around 1-2 mins – now don’t be a prawn and overcook the prawns!
- Using tongs, grab your cooked pasta straight out of the hot water and drop it into the prawn pan – not worrying too much if a little pasta water comes along for the ride.
- Mix through well and then top with your diced parsley, a good scrunch of salt and pepper and a squeeze of lemon.
- Serve out onto two plates, making sure your date receives most of the prawns – or at least make it appear that way (you can hide majority of the prawns underneath your twirl of pasta).
- Give the pasta a gentle drizzle of your remaining olive oil, scrunch with more pepper and salt, a scattering of fresh chilli and finish with a good lashing of Parmesan. Serve with a crisp white wine, some elegant conversation and a candle for the table. Romance is served. Oink!
