Falling unlike Domino's...

No wonder nobody has any money at the moment, if Domino's latest figures are anything to go by. Somehow, impossibly, their profits are 10% up on last year. This makes no sense. The smallest, 'personal' pizza, costs a whopping £5.99. And I am not using this word with even a noodle of irony, because that is a whopping price for what you are getting. I'm not sure it's even worth my highlighting the health implications of eating a Domino's pizza - it's clearly not a salad. My beef is with the horde of people seen on the news almost daily complaining about lack of money. Now, I'm not for a second suggesting that they are lying, or that they all eat daily at Domino's, but someone must be. And it is a fantastic waste of money, it really is. Six quid can go a hell of a long way, food-wise, yet people are seduced into believing that a take-away pizza, or a trip to a dreaded All-You-Can-Hold-Down Chinese buffet is somehow a bargain. It is not. End of story.

For what I reckon cost me a pound, I had one of the best, impulsive pasta dishes I have had in a long time the other night. Incredibly simple, quicker than ordering a pizza and with little more washing up, it was a prime example of how even at moments lacking inspiration, time, or energy, it can be so easy to throw together a delicious supper.

Tagliatelle with leeks, mushrooms and creme fraiche


Serves 1

100g Tagliatelle
1 medium leek, trimmed, washed, and cut diagonally in thick slices
1 large field mushroom, sliced
1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley
1 tablespoon reduced fat creme fraiche
A squeeze of lemon juice
Salt, pepper and olive oil
Parmesan cheese

Bring some salted water to the boil and thrown in your pasta.

Heat a little oil in a large saute or sauce pan. Add the leeks, mushrooms and parsley, season and stir over a medium-high heat for 5 minutes. Reduce the heat and add the creme fraiche and lemon juice. Simmer for a minute or two. Drain the pasta when cooked, and toss into the sauce. Season with more pepper (it likes pepper, does this) and serve with some freshly grated Parmesan. Don't wait for the doorbell to ring, don't hand over any money.