This summer, step away from the burgers and kebabs… Fast food can be a good thing, when it’s Italian of course. Take a look at this tasty trio of quick fixes…
Cut and Dried
We’re great fans of dried spaghetti for a quick midweek supper, but if you’re cutting down on carbs, why not try Courgette Nests, for a lighter option? Made from fresh courgettes grown on the sunny plains of Puglia, the veg are cut and dried on the same day to preserve their natural goodness, colour and flavour. Cook for five minutes in boiling water for a low calorie alternative to spaghetti. Plus one nest equals one of your five a day – fast food and food for you!
Unique Italia’s Courgette Nests cost £2 a pack from www.sainsburys.co.uk
Crunch tidy
For tasty snacking, these intensely Italian crispbreads are filled with delicious organic fl avours, from sundries tomatoes to basil plus lots of healthy seeds. The buckwheat has even been sprouted for an extra nutritional boost, so you can munch away with a guilt-free conscious. Suitable for vegans, and gluten-free, we think these crackers would go very nicely with shavings of pecorino and a drizzle of balsamic or a slice or two of prosciutto crudo.
£3.99 a pack, www.abelandcole.co.uk
It’s in the bag
Laura Santtini is something of an expert on authentic Italian flavours and her tasty single-serve sauces are packed with tomatoes, olives and capers and aromatics like chilli and garlic. Top anything you fancy from pasta, rice and grains to meat and fish with her Napoletana, Arrabiata and Puttanesca sauces to transform simple ingredients into a complete meal, super-quick.
The Taste #5 Umami Sugo Sauces cost £1.49 per pouch, from www.waitrose.com