Chilli crab & cherry tomato linguine

SMART supper. SERVES two.

Ingredients

4 tbsp olive oil 1 large shallot, finely chopped, or 100g/4oz frozen chopped onion 2 fat garlic cloves, crushed, or 1 tbsp c rushed garlic paste 1 small red chilli, deseeded and chopped or ½ tsp chilli flakes 43g can dressed crab 170g can crabmeat chunks in brine, drained 400g can cherry tomatoes in juice Pinch of sugar 50ml/2fl oz single or double cream (optional) 200g/7oz linguine Handful parsley or basil, leaves only, roughly chopped (optional)

Method

1 Heat the oil in a large frying pan and boil water for the pasta. Add the shallot to the oil and gently sizzle for five minutes until soft. Add the garlic and chilli, and cook for another one to two minutes.

2 Tip the boiled water into a large pan, add the pasta and cook following pack instructions. Meanwhile, add the dressed crab to the frying pan. Drain the tomatoes over a bowl and tip the juice into the pan. Add the sugar, cream (if using) and some seasoning. Bubble gently while the pasta cooks.

3 Just before the pasta is finished, add the cherry tomatoes and crabmeat chunks to the pan, stir for one to two minutes, then drain the pasta (reserve a little pasta water) and add this too. Cook everything for another minute, adding a splash of pasta water if the sauce looks dry, then season to taste. Stir through the herbs, if you like, and serve.