Smoked mackerel carbonara

Ingredients

• 1/2 onion
• 1 small courgette/a few green beans/peas
• 1 sprig rosemary
• 1 packet smoked mackerel
• olive oil
• 1 large egg
• 50ml semi-skimmed milk
• 20g Parmesan cheese
• 175g penne/fusilli

Method

Cook the pasta in a pan of boiling salted water according to packet instructions.

Meanwhile, peel and finely slice the onion, then cut the courgette (if using) into quarters lengthways and cut out the fluffy core. Slice the courgette at an angle, roughly 1cm thick – you want the pieces to be about the same size and shape as the penne. If using beans, cut to a couple of inches long.

Pick and chop the rosemary leaves, then slice the mackerel 1cm thick (removing the skin).

Put the onions and courgettes/beans (if using) into a large frying pan on a medium heat with a lug of oil and a pinch of sea salt and black pepper, stirring occasionally.

After 5 minutes, add the rosemary and mackerel (and peas if using) and cook for a further 5 minutes, or until nice and golden, tossing occasionally.

Meanwhile, whisk the eggs and milk together, then finely grate in the Parmesan.

Reserving a cupful of cooking water, drain the pasta and toss it into the mackerel pan.

Take the pan off the heat for a few seconds and stir in a good splash of the reserved water to cool it down (this is really important to avoid scrambling the eggs – you want the sauce to be silky smooth).

Tip in the egg mixture and shake and stir until thoroughly combined. Serve with extra Parmesan (and a squirt of lemon juice if you like).