Taken from Best of Bill – The ultimate collection of Bill Granger’s recipes, this fresh and delicious spaghetti with asparagus, mint and chilli is perfect for a relaxing afternoon lunch with friends or family. Not only is this dish incredibly healthy it is tasty as well. One can substitute spaghetti for tagliatelle or farfalle.

Ingredients

400g spaghetti

80ml extra virgin olive oil

3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced

1 large fresh red chilli, seeded and thinly sliced

400g asparagus, thinly sliced

Handful fresh mint

Sea salt

Freshly ground black pepper

Grated Parmesan cheese to season

1. Cook spaghetti in a large saucepan of boiling salted water, until al dente. Reserve half a cup of the cooking liquid before draining the pasta. Set aside.

2. Heat the olive oil in a large, deep frying pan over medium heat. Add the garlic and chilli and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Add the asparagus and continue to cook, stirring, for 1-2 minutes or until it is bright green and just tender. Add the pasta cooking liquid and simmer for 30 seconds.

3. Add the hot pasta and mint leaves to the asparagus and toss together.

Season with Parmesan cheese and serve immediately.

Serves 4.