Pasta with Crayfish and Rocket

Posted By Kerri

pasta-with-crayfish-and-rocket

I’m the sort of person who likes to plan. I’m not very good at spontaneity, especially when it comes to food. I like to know what I’m going to be eating in advance, preferably a couple of days if possible. I know lots of people would be horrified by this approach but, where food is concerned, I’m a bit of a control freak. As a result of this, we tend to plan menus about a week in advance leaving a little room for movement and always with the understanding that something can be thrown into the freezer if necessary.

The Easter weekend however has left us a little less organised than usual and today we didn’t have a plan. We talked through a couple of options last night and decided on pasta, possibly with some combination of anchovies and capers but when I arrived at Waitrose and saw crayfish, I changed my mind. I suppose you could call this planning as the final dish wasn’t that different to what I originally had in mind but without a vague idea, I would have been wandering around Waitrose without a clue what to buy.

Anyway, after all that waffling, I’m pleased to say this turned out well. It was really quick too. I sliced a chilli and fried it in some olive oil before adding some halved cherry tomatoes. Leave to bubble for a couple of minutes before adding the crayfish and the juice of a lemon. Once this has warmed through (about 2-3 minutes), stir into the drained pasta and add rocket, black pepper and parmesan.

This was quite a mild chilli so it just leant a gentle, backround heat that didn’t overpower the delicate fish. The rocket was peppery, as rocket normally is, which provided another interesting flavour level.

Apr 15th, 2009

8 Comments to 'Pasta with Crayfish and Rocket'

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  1. Mrs Ergül said,

    HmmmmHHH I love it when unplanned meals turn out great!This is one of them!

    Mrs Ergül’s last blog post..Spritskakor

  2. Cool pasta dish!!

    Yummy crayfish, nice blog!

    tastymealsathome’s last blog post..Tasty Budae “Base” Jjigae (Stew) 부대 찌개

  3. Sylvie said,

    My weeks also work out much better with some dinner planning. I usually come up with ideas before going shopping too. Otherwise I find I just buy random things and end up wasting some. Of course as you said there is always room for changes and I don’t stick to things rigorously. The pasta looks wonderful, such lovely colours and falvours on one plate.

    Sylvie’s last blog post..Sausage and Potato Goulash

  4. Lizzie said,

    I absolutely cannot walk around a supermarket without a shopping list or at least a list in my head. Havoc will reign, and I end up with a bag of completely random ingredients and a hefty bill.

    This looks great – never thought to use crayfish.

    Lizzie’s last blog post..Making Mayonnaise

  5. Helen said,

    ooh pretty pretty! I must admit I haven’t eaten crayfish since a rather nasty incident involving a sandwich a few years back. i really should give them another go. I know I said it before but, they look so pretty!

    Helen’s last blog post..Sake Tasting at Tsuru

  6. Kerri said,

    Thanks all 🙂

    There definitely is less waste when you plan, Sylvie, you’re right.

    And yes, it can be expensive without a list, Lizzie.

    I can’t eat prawns for the same reason, Helen but someone convinced myself that crayfish was OK 🙂

  7. I am a bit of a pre planner as well – without a plan I tend to make the same sort of thing all the time. I am very impressed by this crayfish pasta though – looks fantastic.

    Gourmet Chick’s last blog post..Djemaa al Fna (Gourmet Chick in Morocco)

  8. Jeanne said,

    Oh, I’m so with you on the planner thing. A plan and a list is all that stands between me and total anarchy… Love this pasta – definitely boookmarking it.

    Jeanne’s last blog post..Nectarine & ginger tarte tatin

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