Nigella Lawson's quick pasta hack: Marmite magic in 10 minutes
If you're always on the go and find yourself short on cooking time, this recipe is for you. Nigella Lawson's quick pasta is a simple way to have a delicious dinner ready in just 10 minutes after work. The secret ingredient in the sauce is somewhat controversial.
Spaghetti is a versatile base for many dishes, and classic combinations like tomato sauce or carbonara are well-known and loved. However, Nigella Lawson suggests an even simpler solution—pasta with Marmite. The British chef considers Marmite a product worth having in the kitchen when you want to quickly prepare a delightful meal.
Nigella Lawson explains that although pairing pasta with Marmite may seem unusual, it is inspired by a traditional dish made from roast leftovers. In this dish, a crushed stock cube, butter, olive oil, chopped rosemary, and a little pasta cooking water are used to create a flavourful sauce for the spaghetti. Marmite provides similar tastes, especially the saltiness and umami found in a stock cube.
Marmite - A symbol of British cuisine
Marmite is one of the symbols of British cuisine, and like other British delicacies, it has as many fans as it does detractors. What lies within the characteristic dark jars with yellow labels and lids? Marmite is a yeast extract paste that Britons primarily use to spread on bread or crackers. A favourite snack is warm toast with butter, cheese, and a layer of the paste. Some even eat it with bananas.
The product can replace popular liquid seasoning for soups, known for containing many chemical "enhancers." The paste works well as an addition to meat marinades and pairs excellently with honey and molasses. Enriching bread dough with Marmite results in an interesting colour and unique flavour. It can enhance an intriguing sauce for cold cuts or fries. Just mix it with sour cream and mayonnaise, then season with white pepper and lemon juice.
Quick spaghetti by Nigella Lawson
Nigella’s recipe is simple in terms of both ingredients and preparation method. The cooking time depends on how long it takes to cook the pasta, about 10 minutes.
Ingredients:
- 370 grams of spaghetti,
- 100 grams of unsalted butter,
- 1 teaspoon of Marmite or Vegemite (or more to taste),
- freshly grated Parmesan cheese (for serving).
Preparation method:
- Cook the pasta according to the package instructions.
- As it's almost ready, melt the butter in a small saucepan, add Marmite/Vegemite, and a tablespoon of pasta cooking water, stirring thoroughly to dissolve everything well.
- Drain and pour the Marmite/Vegemite mixture over the pasta.
- Serve with plenty of grated cheese.
The recipe can be modified according to your preferences, for example, by substituting Parmesan with its vegetarian equivalent or another favourite cheese like cheddar.
