Pasta with fresh tomato sauce

Serves 4

(Jason Lowe )

It’s good to get kids used to real flavours, rather than the taste of processed food – and pasta is a great vehicle to do just that. You can choose whatever is your kids’ favourite pasta for this recipe. Cherry tomatoes tend to impart the best flavour, or you can use extra-ripe tomatoes.

4 servings of pasta
200g cherry tomatoes or ripe red tomatoes
2-3tbsp olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
100-150g firm red or coloured tomatoes, finely diced
Basil leaves to finish (optional)

Cook the pasta in boiling, salted water according to the manufacturer’s cooking instructions and drain in a colander.

While the pasta is cooking, blend the cherry tomatoes in a liquidiser until smooth, then transfer to a bowl and stir in the olive oil and diced tomatoes; season to taste. Toss the hot pasta in a pan with the sauce and transfer to a warmed serving bowl and stir in the basil leaves if using.