Popeye's salmon spaghetti

(Pictures appearing soon)

I decided to name this after the famed spinach guzzler, not only because of the spinach in it but also because the the story behind it. This pasta mix trails back up the slopes of Zakopane in Poland to believe it or not, a Pizza hut, hungry kids and a tired dog. While visiting my cousins in Krakow my aunt(who you will meet later when I share my favourite carrot cake recipe with you which happens to be hers)planned a fun trip up to Zakopane,with the the dog in tow.

It had been a morning where energy was well spent, on a trip to the top of the mountain in a cable car, carting down the hill -in some dangerously fast moving moving box with wheels which if you try to slow down, is likely to win you a disapproving look from the person behind...even if he's got a baby in his cart- and a lot of walking around the market square. By lunch time we were all hungry and well my cousins, boys being boys were ravenous of course. We wanted something quick since we had along drive back to krakow. I normally never eat pasta at Pizza Hut, but when I saw salmon on the menu I couldn't resist. I have a weakness for Salmon, so I ordered what turned out to be spaghetti with spinach and salmon flakes. It was interesting, but I knew with a bit of my own spicy herbi-work, brown carbs and a sprinkle of parmesan I'd get it seasoned to my liking...and I did.

This recipe is actually one of my favourites and after I threw it together I was so chuffed, that when I went up to visit some friends in Leeds I shared my invention with them. In fact, we made a party out if with some salad and a few bottles of white Lambrini :)

What you need:(For one)
*1-2 cloves of garlic
*3 blocks of frozen spinach (defrosted)
*1 small salmon fillet/I small salmon steak (fresh/frozen)
*Chilli flakes
*Mixed herbs
*Olive Oil
*Salt
*Pepper
*Grated parmesan
*Whole wheat spaghetti

Tossing it up:
- Chop up the salmon into small flakes and marinate with a few drops of olive oil, a pinch of salt and pepper and lemon juice.(If you want a short cut, use half a box of M&S Salmon flakes instead)
- Heat a non stick pan and then with a few drops of oil stir fry the salmon chunks.
- When cooked, remove and keep aside on a plate.
- Heat 2 tsp of oilve oil in a pan.
- Slice up the garlic clove and toss them into the hot oil and then throw in some herbs (about 1/s tsp) and chillie flakes if you like a kick to your food (I can't resist the temptation of Chilli flakes and I tend to toss them in at every opportunity)
- Once the garlic has nicely browned add the spinach and cook for about 20 minutes stirring every so often. It's best to use a non stick wok for this.
- While this is cooking, put the pasta on to boil. Drop the whole wheat spaghetti into salted (ideally it should taste like sea water) boiling water.
- Once the pasta is cooked 'al dante', (or softer if you fancy)transfer it to a colander to drain.
- Add the pasta into the spinach mix, add the salmon flakes and lightly toss the pasta and put it onto a plate. Sprinkle with parmesan (grating it straight off a block will taste better than ready grated Parmesan), pour yourself a glass of rose and you've got fine dining for one :)


Health benefits: Salmon is high in Omega 3, spinach is rich in B vitamins and iron, garlic lowers cholestrol and pepper has detox properties.