fusilli with swordfish & artichoke

Serves 4

Preparation time 5 minutes, plus marinating

Cooking time 12–15 minutes

juice of ½ lemon

2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced

1 fresh red chilli, deseeded and finely chopped

100 ml (3½ fl oz) extra virgin olive oil

400 g (13 oz) swordfish steak, cut into 1½ cm (¾ inch) cubes

375 g (12 oz) dried fusilli

200 g (7 oz) bottled or canned artichoke hearts in olive oil, drained

50 g (2 oz) pitted black olives, roughly chopped

3 tablespoons roughly chopped mint

salt

Put the lemon juice, garlic, chilli and 2 tablespoons of the oil in a non-metallic bowl. Add the swordfish cubes and turn to coat in the marinade. Cover and leave to marinate in a cool place for 15 minutes.

Cook the pasta in a large saucepan of salted boiling water according to the packet instructions until al dente.

Meanwhile, heat the remaining oil in a large frying pan over a high heat. Cut the artichokes in half, add to the pan with the olives and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Season the swordfish with salt and add to the pan with the marinade. Cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the fish is just cooked.

Drain the pasta, reserving a ladleful of the cooking water. Stir into the frying pan and add the mint. Toss well over a low heat and pour in the reserved pasta cooking water. Continue stirring until the pasta is well coated and looks silky. Serve immediately.

For seafood & artichoke sauce, use 250 g (8 oz) peeled raw prawns or squid rings, or a combination of both. Cook until the prawns turn pink or the squid is firm and opaque.

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