Fennel, tomato & smoked chicken pasta salad

Prep 20 mins | Cook 10 mins | Serves 4

300g dried penne pasta
2 baby fennel, trimmed, halved and very thinly sliced
¹⁄₃ cup extra virgin olive oil
2 tbs lemon juice
Finely grated zest from 1 lemon
1 cup flat-leaf parsley leaves, roughly chopped
2 green onions (shallots), trimmed and thinly sliced
250g grape tomatoes, halved
¹⁄₃ cup pine nuts, toasted
350g smoked chicken breasts, thinly sliced crossways
Finely grated parmesan, to serve

Step 1 Cook pasta in a large saucepan of boiling water, following packet directions.

Step 2 Meanwhile, place fennel in a bowl. Drizzle with oil and lemon juice and zest. Season with pepper to taste and stir to combine. Set aside until pasta cooks. Drain pasta, refresh in cold water. Drain well. Place in a large mixing bowl.

Step 3 Add fennel mixture, parsley, green onions, tomatoes, pine nuts and chicken to pasta. Gently toss to combine. Serve with finely grated parmesan.

Good for you ... Asparagus

One of the best sources of natural folate. This B complex vitamin is important throughout life for normal function of the immune system. A source of vitamin C which contributes to protecting body cells from damage from free radicals.