Starters Recipes - Avocado-dressed Pasta

Ingredients                        

• 225 g/8 oz/2 cups multicolored conchiglie

• 15 ml/1 tbsp olive oil

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

• 1 large ripe avocado, halved and stoned (pitted)

• 15 ml/1 tbsp lemon juice

• 1 small garlic clove, crushed

• 2.5 ml/1/2 tsp caster (superfine) sugar

• 150 ml/1/4 pt/2/3 cup crème fraiche

• 4 spring onions (scallions), chopped

• 2 celery sticks, finely chopped

• 15 ml/1 tbsp chopped parsley

---

Method:

1. Cook the pasta according to the packet directions. Drain, rinse with cold water and drain again.

2. Toss in the olive oil and a little salt and pepper. Spoon on to 6 individual shallow dishes.

3. Meanwhile, scoop out the avocado flesh into a food processor or blender. Add the lemon juice, garlic, sugar and crème fraiche.

4. Run the machine until smooth. Season to taste. Spoon over the pasta and sprinkle with the spring onions, celery and parsley.