3581. STIR-FRIED PASTA with ORANGE, BACON and CURRY

serves four


3 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons finely chopped garlic
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh root ginger
1 small onion, peeled, chopped
2 tablespoons finely grated orange zest
6 bacon rashers, chopped
2 red peppers, seeds removed, cut into ½in pieces
2 yellow peppers, seeds removed, cut into ½in pieces
2 teaspoons sugar
10½fl oz chicken stock
1 x 14oz can chopped tomatoes
3 tablespoons Madras curry paste
2 tablespoons tomato purée
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 lb. dried Italian pasta, such as farfalle, cooked according to packet instructions, drained

To serve
1 handful chopped fresh basil leaves
1 handful chopped fresh chives

Heat the oil in a lidded wok (or saucepan) over a high heat until smoking. Add the garlic, ginger, onion and orange zest and stir-fry for 1-2 minutes.

Add the chopped bacon and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes, or until the vegetables have softened and the bacon is golden-brown.

Add the red and yellow peppers, sugar, stock, chopped tomatoes, curry paste and tomato purée, then season, to taste, with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Stir well.

Reduce the heat until the mixture is simmering, then cover the wok with a lid and continue to simmer for 30 minutes, or until the sauce is thick and the peppers are tender.

Add the drained pasta to the sauce and mix well until coated and warmed through.

To serve, divide the stir-fried pasta equally among four serving plates and sprinkle over the chopped basil and chives.


bacon recipe source: Ken Hom, Saturday Kitchen Best Bites, BBC Food