Hi S - got 10 mins to spare to rustle up this one?
Prep - Boil some salted water. Heat on under a griddle pan.
Put some black pasta (long style, like linguini or spaghetti) into the water - cooks in 5 mins tops.
Put some scallops onto the griddle - cook 2 mins a side tops. Use a very little oil to stop them sticking. Do not over cook as they will get tough. Under rather than over cook...
Put a 2 prong fork into the pasta, twist it and lift out a 'ball' and put this on serving plates. (the pasta, not the fork...)
De-seed 2 red chili and dice. Sprinkle 1 each over the pasta, put scallops over this, and drizzle over a little good olive oil.
Sprinkle a pinch of paprika round the edge of the plates to dress them, and enjoy with a nice strong bread - onion ciabatta maybe? and a crunchy seasonal salad.
Use king prawns - raw are best to cook fresh - if you prefer. Leaves the rest of the night free to enjoy.
Not to liking? - what about:
Pork fillet, cut into round 'collops'. Dust with seasoned flour, fry gently for 5 mins just to brown. Remove from pan and keep them warm.
Add a dash of white wine, stock and ginger jam to pan. Reduce to sticky stage. Add some creme fraiche, return pork to pan and season, to suit. Heat through gently for 5 mins more to make sure pork is cooked. Tons of flavour and really easy as well..
Serve over plain rice, or mash or noodles. Have a side of fresh peas, boiled for 3 mins and crushed - serve in a metal ring to make a cheffy round pile - lift off the ring and leave the crushed peas next to the pork and rice.
Pudding? - got to be chocolate fondue - melt a toblerone bar or 7 with some double cream. Stir well and dip in fresh fruit, brioche chunks, marshmallows or whatever. (Melt choc. in a bowl over warm/hot water if you haven't a foundue set)
Bon