Chicken & Bacon Red Pesto Penne

• In a large frying pan, heat a good drizzle of olive oil over medium-high heat. Cook panko breadcrumbs (see ingredients), stirring, until golden brown, 4-5 minutes • Transfer to a bowl, add parsley and season to taste with salt and pepper.

• While the pangrattato is cooking, add penne to the boiling water and cook until ‘al dente’, 12 minutes. • Drain pasta, reserving 1/4 cup pasta water and return to the saucepan.

TIP: 'Al dente' pasta is cooked through but still slightly firm in the centre.

• Wipe out frying pan and return to high heat with a drizzle of olive oil. Cook chicken and diced bacon, tossing occasionally, until browned and cooked through (when no longer pink inside), 5-6 minutes. Transfer to a bowl. • Return frying pan to medium heat. Cook light cooking cream and red pesto, until slightly thickened, 1-2 minutes. • Return chicken and resting juices to pan and stir through penne. Season to taste.

TIP: Add a splash of the reserved pasta water if the sauce mixture looks too thick.

• Meanwhile, in a second medium bowl, combine a drizzle of vinegar, olive oil and a pinch of salt and pepper. • Add apple, carrot and baby spinach leaves and toss to combine.

Little cooks: Take the lead by tossing the salad!