Winter is coming (sorry). 
As it gets colder and the oversized scarfs and even larger jumpers leap from the wardrobes, those summer salads are looking less and less appetising. I barely wanted them in the summer so any excuse to swap the salads for pasta is a win for me. 

This Pasta Winter Warmer is one of those classic throw-it-all-in-a-pot-for-20-minutes dishes where you are cold, tired, and want something delicious to eat. It has carbs, protein, heat and a solid tomatoey base. 




What you are going to need:
  • 1x Half a Red Onion
  • 1x Red Chili
  • Handful of Mushrooms (choose your favourites)
  • 2x Garlic Cloves
  • 1x Half Cup of Lentils
  • 1x Half Cup of Whole Wheat Pasta
  • Pinch of Salt and Pepper
  • 1x Avocado Half
  • 1x Cup of Chopped Tomatoes
  • Drizzle of Olive Oil

How you do it?
(You can probably guess)
  1. Begin to boil the pasta in lightly salted water
  2. Add the lentils to the Pasta after about 3-5 minutes
  3. Heat up pan with a drizzle of olive oil
  4. Mince garlic cloves and add to the heated pan
  5. Chop up red onion and add to heated pan and cook until slightly translucent
  6. Chop up mushrooms and chilis and add to the pan
  7. Cook on the low-medium heat for 2-3 minutes
  8. When the pasta is al dente, take them off the heat and drain the water, keeping back a little under one-fifth for the sauce
  9. Add the chopped tomatoes, take off the pan of beautifully garlicky vegetables and add them to the tomato-pasta-lentil pot.
  10. Put on a low heat mix the mixture together, gradually adding the pasta water if needed. Lightly salt and pepper and take off the heat.
  11. Decant your pasta winter warmer into dishes, slice up your avocado and serve. (You can also serve with some fantastic sourdough if this isn't enough carb for you- there never is for me).