Shellfish gratin

Serves: 4

Time to make: 40 mins

Hands-on time: 15 mins

Ingredients

More weights & measures

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 onion, finely sliced

300g button mushrooms, sliced

2 bunches thin asparagus, tough ends removed, cut evenly

2 tablespoons reduced-fat spread

3 tablespoons flour

large pinch white pepper

2 cups skim milk

½ cup shredded fresh parmesan cheese

spray oil, to grease

400g pipi or clam meat, lightly steamed

250g small pasta shells, cooked, drained

Instructions

Stay Awake

1 Preheat oven to 200°C. Heat a frying pan and add olive oil. Gently fry onion, cover and cook for a couple of minutes. Add mushrooms and asparagus. Stir through to cook for 3 more minutes. Set aside.

2 To make white sauce, place a small saucepan over a low heat and add spread to melt. Then add flour and pepper. Cook for 1 minute until bubbling. Increase heat to medium and gradually pour in milk (half a cup at a time), stirring as you go to prevent lumps. Simmer. Stir until sauce is thick and smooth. Add half the parmesan and stir until melted.

3 Lightly spray an ovenproof baking dish with oil. Layer a few vegetables on the base, top with a layer of shellfish then pasta then vegetables (reserve some asparagus and mushrooms for top). Drizzle over a little white sauce then add the remaining vegetables.

4 Pour over the remaining sauce then sprinkle with the remaining parmesan. Place high in a hot oven to bake for 20-25 minutes.

Serving suggestion

Scatter with fresh herbs such as parsley, chives, chervil or dill.

Variations

This recipe will work well with any shellfish or even a can of crab and a can of shrimp.

Make it gluten free: Use rice flour instead of plain flour and use gluten-free pasta.

Nutrition Info (per serve)

Calories 522 cal

Kilojoules 2180 kJ

Protein 27 g

Total fat 12 g

Saturated fat 4 g

Carbohydrates 75 g

Sugar 11 g

Dietary fibre 6 g

Sodium 810 mg

Calcium 250 mg

Iron 8 mg

Note: This nutrition analysis is a guide only. Nutrition composition will vary depending on the exact ingredients used. See our guides on your optimal daily nutrition intake, and supermarket shopping.