Serves 4: Prep time 25-35 mins: Cook time 30 mins
Ingredients
250g Penne Pasta
300g Broccoli, cut into large florets
25g Butter
25g Plain Flour
600ml Milk
100g Mascapone
8 sundried tomatoes (preserved in olive oil), drained and thickly sliced
8 anchovy fillets, halved (optional)
10 large fresh basil leaves, roughly torn
4 Fresh skinless Salmon Fillets
50g mature cheddar, finely grated
Method
1/ Preheat the oven to 190C/gas 5/fan 170C and get out an ovenproof dish (measuring 20 by 30cm, and about 5cm deep). Meanwhile, put a large pan of water on to boil for the pasta. When it is boiling rapidly, tip in the pasta with a generous sprinkling of salt. Give it a stir, return to the boil and cook for 6 minutes. Add the broccoli, then return the water to the boil and cook for 4 minutes more, until the broccoli is on the firm side of just tender. Drain well.
2/ While the pasta is cooking, put the butter, flour and milk in a large pan and heat, whisking or stirring continuously, until it thickens to make a smooth sauce. Remove from the heat and stir in the mascarpone, sun-dried tomatoes, capers (if using), anchovies (if using) and basil, then add the pasta and broccoli and season well.
3/ Halve the salmon fillets width ways (you will see that there is an obvious divide on each fillet) then place the pieces in a single layer on the base of the ovenproof dish. Spoon the broccoli mixture on top, then scatter with the grated cheddar. (You can chill this for up to 4 hours if you want to get ahead.)
4/ Bake for 30 minutes until the mixture is just starting to bubble round the edges and the mixture is pale golden – don’t let it go too dark or the fish will overcook.