• Bring a medium saucepan of salted water to the boil. • Thinly slice celery. • Grate carrot. • In a medium bowl, combine carrot and mixed salad leaves. Set aside. Little cooks: Older kids, help grate the carrot under adult supervision.

• Cook penne in the boiling water until ‘al dente’, 9 minutes. • Meanwhile, heat a large frying pan over high heat with a drizzle of olive oil. Cook diced bacon, breaking up with a spoon, until golden, 3 minutes. Transfer to a bowl. • When pasta is ready, reserve some pasta water (1/3 cup for 2 people / 2/3 cup for 4 people), then drain pasta and return to saucepan. TIP: ‘Al dente’ pasta is cooked through but still slightly firm in the centre.

• Return frying pan to medium-high heat with a drizzle of olive oil. Cook celery, tossing, until softened, 4-5 minutes. • Reduce heat to medium, then add light cooking cream and garlic & herb seasoning. Return bacon to pan, then cook, stirring, until sauce is slightly reduced, 1-2 minutes. • Remove pan from heat. Stir in the butter, basil pesto and cooked penne until combined and butter is melted (if needed, add a dash of reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce). Season with salt and pepper to taste.

• Dress salad with the balsamic vinegar, tossing to coat. • Divide swift bacon pesto penne between bowls. • Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. • Serve with side salad. Enjoy! Little cooks: Add the finishing touch by sprinkling the Parmesan cheese on top.