Frugal entertaining

I can't believe I haven't shared this recipe with you already! Aunty A was over for dinner last night and I whipped this up for us:

Easy to make but oddly impressive smoked salmon penne pasta

(serves however many you want)

Per person:

60g dried penne (or other) pasta
50 g smoked salmon
1/4 red pepper (capsicum)
1/4 head broccoli
1 wedge Blue Castello blue brie

1 glass of wine for the cook (optional but highly recommended!*)

1. Cook pasta, according to packet directions, until al dente.

2. Meanwhile, slice red pepper (capsicum) lengthwise and then across into matchstick shaped pieces. Chop broccoli into small pieces. Place both is a microwave-safe dish, add approx 1 Tbpsn water per serve, cover loosely with clingfilm and microwave on high until cooked but crunchy (approx 1.5 minutes per serve)

3. While all this is happening, chop the smoked salmon into smallish pieces.

4. Once the vegetables are cooked, drain and add smoked salmon and lashings of freshly ground black pepper.

5. When the pasta is cooked drain and return to the pot. Turn off the element.

6. Add the vegetable and smoked salmon mix to the pasta. Cut the blue cheese into smaller pieces and stir through. Cover with lid if necessary to enhance the cheese melting effect.

7. Serve. And smile. From cupboard to plate shouldn't be more than 15 minutes, tops! (And if you're a Weight Watcher, 5 points per serve)

(*Preferably from a $1.99 bottle of wine)