Paul 'Gazza' Gascoigne Tuna Linguine

Hi all.....

Following a fantastic victory over Lyon, I am on the case again with another blog. This time it's a tribute to one player who is loved by Spurs and will be remembered for a fantastic free kick....nope it's not Gareth Bale yet...this man put one up the Arsenal in the semi final of the 1991 F.A Cup 'Paul Gascoigne'

In tribute to the man I decided to make something as close to Italian 'record British transfer to Lazio' as possible. Is it what they would make in Rome or in that region? I don't know....tweet me @martin_harte what they do eat.

Any way before I give this simple recipe here is a tribute....

OK well this is what you will need....

For 2 people

120 g of linguine (dried)

One 130 g tin of Tuna (Try getting the one in spring water or olive oil. And this is quite expensive so get tinned Mackerel if you want)

50 g of cherry tomatoes (quartered)

One red chilli finely chopped

One glove of garlic finely chopped

Olive Oil (Best you can get)

Good bit of Basil 

Sea Salt (Important) and ground black pepper

A gesture of Parmasean cheese (grated)

Optional: Juice and rind of half lemon

Here's what to do....

In a large pot of boiling salted water drop your pasta in, use a folk or tongs to twist it in under the water. This should take 8 minutes if it says 10 (always take 2 minutes off dried pasta as for the rest of the time it'll either cook in the sauce or itself)

While that's going on in a soft heated pan throw in a splash of oil and throw in the Cherry Tomatoes, when they have softened nicely season with a little sea salt and pepper (little) and chuck in the red chilli and garlic.

Here is the key, just as the pasta is a minute or 30 seconds to being done....get a tablespoon and chuck in 3 quick spoon full of the cooking starchy water, this will loosen it (also season as the water is salty, hence don't put too much at the start) If you're adding the lemon do so now so the juice gets intense with the rind.

Get the tin of Tuna/ Mackerel open and drained.....throw the pasta in with the Tomatoes, Chilli and Garlic and also add half of the Basil now mix it all together and then the Parmasean. Once its all quickly together throw the tuna in fold it together with the hot pasta, plate up and drizzle with olive oil and scatter the rest of the Basil. Yes it's very simple, but I hope it gets you cooking either way...

Hope you enjoy it? And if you try it, send me a tweet....if not thanks for reading

I would dedicate this time spent writing to Gazza, obviously I don't know him...but I'm sure what he gave us in Football deserves any kind of tribute?

Get well soon...