Putting an end to the misguided notion that all pasta is fattening, here are three healthy, tasty recipes that are perfect for when you’re watching what you eat.

Three recipes and three handy hints you should always bear in mind: make sure you cook the pasta until it’s al dente (lower glycaemic index, more energy expended on chewing it and more time spent digesting it); go for whole wheat pasta (more nutrients and higher in fiber) and eat it for lunch rather than dinner (to make sure you burn off the energy). Now that that’s all clear, let’s get cooking!

Farfalle With Avocado and Salmon
Avocado and salmon are both rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins and minerals such as magnesium, potassium and zinc. This recipe combines this healthy energy with farfalle cooked in salted water, strained and flavored with a dash of our STAR Infused Olive Oil With Lemon Peel.

Add the fresh, cubed avocado. You can use either fresh or smoked salmon, depending on whether you prefer a warm or cold version. If you go for fresh salmon, cut it into cubes and sautée with salt and a little coriander.

Penne With Roasted Vegetables 
For this recipe you can use whatever vegetables you like: fresh asparagus, courgette, aubergine, carrots or whatever else you enjoy. Wash the vegetables well, chop them up and arrange them on an oven tray together with a couple of fresh tomatoes. Add salt and pepper, drizzle with STAR Extra Virgin Olive Oil and roast for 25 minutes at 400 ºF. Remember to stir the vegetables regularly.

Meanwhile, boil the penne in plenty of salted water. Strain and sautée the cooked pasta in a frying pan with a dash of a STAR Infused Olive Oil With Fresh Basil. Serve with the roasted vegetables.

Spaghetti With King Prawns and Soy Sauce
Peel and cut an onion into chunks. Cut off the tips and clean a bundle of fresh asparagus. Add the onion and asparagus to a wok or frying pan with a little STAR Extra Virgin Olive Oil, together with some fresh peeled king prawns. When it’s almost ready, add the soy sauce and stir for a couple of minutes.

Now it’s time to add the cooked, strained spaghetti, which should take on all the flavors and aromas of the stir fry, transporting you from the U.S. to the Far East.