Use fresh or dried pasta to vary flavour and texture of this easy pasta dish.

Ingredients

• pasta for 4
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 tblsp olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, peeled and sliced
• 4-6 rashers bacon, diced
• ¼ cup port
• 1 cup walnuts, chopped and toasted
• 1½ cups chicken stock
• 4 tblsp cream or creme fraiche
• chilli to season
• grated Parmesan to garnish
• chopped parsley to garnish

Method

1. Cook the pasta in boiling salted water for 10-12 minutes until al dente. Meanwhile, prepare the sauce.
2. Cook onion in olive oil until soft. Add garlic and bacon. Cook until bacon is lightly browned. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
3. Add port and reduce by half. Stir in toasted walnuts, chicken stock, cream or creme fraiche and mix well.
4. Season with a pinch each of chilli, salt and pepper and toss through the pasta. Garnish with Parmesan and chopped parsley.

Cooks Tips

- You can replace bacon by using pancetta or prosciutto for this recipe.

- If using dried chicken stock, prepare using ½ teaspoon stock powder per cut of water otherwise it will be too salty.

- Should you have any walnut paste - sensational but expensive, add 1-2 tablespoons with the cream.