• Boil the kettle. Fill a medium saucepan with boiling water and place over high heat. To pan, add a pinch of salt. • Cook orecchiette in boiling water until ‘al dente’, 8 minutes. Reserve some pasta water (1/4 cup for 2 people / 1/2 cup for 4 people). Drain and return to the saucepan.

• Meanwhile, finely chop garlic. Finely chop brown onion (see ingredients). • Heat a large frying pan over medium-high heat with a generous drizzle of olive oil. Cook panko breadcrumbs (see ingredients), stirring, until golden brown, 3 minutes. • Add half the garlic and cook until fragrant, 1-2 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl and season to taste.

• Return frying pan to medium-high heat with a drizzle of olive oil. Cook diced bacon and onion, breaking up bacon with a spoon, until golden, 3-5 minutes. • Reduce heat to medium, add tomato paste, garlic & herb seasoning and remaining garlic and cook until fragrant, 1 minute. • Stir in the salt, light cooking cream, Parmesan cheese and reserved pasta water and simmer until slightly reduced, 1-2 minutes. • Add orecchiette and half the baby spinach leaves, gently stir to combine and cook until wilted slightly.

• Meanwhile, thinly slice apple into wedges. • In a medium bowl, combine apple, the remaining spinach, flaked almonds, balsamic vinaigrette dressing and a drizzle of olive oil. Season to taste. • Divide saucy tomato bacon orecchiette between bowls. • Top with garlic pangrattato. • Serve with apple salad. Enjoy! Little cooks: Take the lead by tossing the salad!