This little character peeking over the top of today’s pasta lunch pot, is Philbert. He belongs to my son Luka’s Kindergarten teacher and is the class “pet”. Like all pets he needs to be cared for and so every child has a chance to take Philbert home on the weekends, or in our case, these school holidays. Luka needs to write up a diary account, complete with pictures of Philbert’s big adventures with our big family. This means that Philbert goes everywhere with us. He even makes a regular appearance at mealtimes. I can’t complain because he is completely compliant, never fusses over his food and doesn’t interrupt when I am trying to finish a conversation in one go (a challenge with children!). I may well ask Philbert to move in permanently. 

This pasta dish is ideal for feeding hungry, active kids on school holidays. It is quick to prepare, features ingredients that are readily available in your local supermarket and is a manageable dish for children to make with a little assistance. So when you hear the familiar question, “What’s for lunch Mum?” don’t sigh and roll your eyes, give my Pasta with Bacon, Peas, Parmesan and Lemon a go. 

Pasta with Bacon, Peas, Parmesan and Lemon to serve 6 children generously. 

Ingredients
4 tablespoons olive oil
3 cloves garlic
500 grams rindless stringy bacon
dried oregano and basil (1/4 teaspoon each)
500 grams dried pasta of your choice – I used fusilli pasta spirals
1 heaped cup of frozen baby peas
juice from 1 small lemon
sea salt and black pepper to taste

Put a large pot of salted water on the stove to boil. 

While you are waiting for the water to boil, finely chop the garlic and then slice the bacon into bite sized strips. Pour the oil into a wide frypan and place over a medium heat. Add the garlic, bacon and herbs. Cook for 8-10 minutes until the bacon has turned opaque and has just started to crisp around the edges. Stir every now and then to prevent the contents from burning. When ready set aside. 

Once the water has boiled, add the pasta and cook according to the instructions on your packet. In the last 2 minutes of cooking time, pour the frozen peas into the pasta water. Once the pasta is ready, drain in a colander reserving a couple of tablespoons of pasta water. 

Return the pasta and peas to the pot, add the garlic and bacon mixture, the lovely flavoured oil in the frypan, lemon juice, salt and pepper and stir gently to combine. Grate in about a cup of parmesan and serve.