fusilli

WITH ARTICHOKE CREAM

This is designed to use the home-made cream cheese on. You can use a shop-bought version, but if you do, make sure that when you whisk together the cream cheese and stock you end up with about 500 ml (17 fl oz/2 cups) of liquid.

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SERVES: 4

PREPARATION: 10 minutes, once the cream cheese is made

COOKING: 20 minutes

200 g (7 oz) non-dairy cream cheese

200 ml (7 fl oz) mild vegetable stock, or more if needed

300 g (10½ oz) artichokes in oil (drained weight), chopped

1 garlic clove, finely chopped

2 tablespoons lemon juice, or more or less to taste

sea salt flakes

freshly ground black pepper

500 g (1 lb 2 oz) vegan fusilli or pasta shells

olive oil, for tossing

16 cherry tomatoes, halved

2 tablespoons chopped chives or flat-leaf (Italian) parsley

In a small pan, whisk together the cream cheese and stock over a gentle heat to make a creamy sauce. Add the artichokes and garlic and simmer very gently for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Transfer to a blender and blitz to a smooth sauce. Wipe out the pan, pour the sauce back in and add lemon juice to taste. Add a little more stock if too thick. Season with salt and pepper and set aside to keep warm.

Meanwhile, cook the pasta in boiling salted water following the packet directions, or until just al dente. Drain, toss with a little olive oil and return to the pan. Stir through the artichoke cream, the tomatoes and most of the chives or parsley. Serve immediately, sprinkled with the remaining chives or parsley.