Lemon Linguini with Sea Bass and Chilli Breadcrumbs

Yes, determinedly sticking to my guns, making summer salads and light healthy food despite the torrential rain coming down outside, despite an inner urge to make soup and despite wanting to get under a blanket, scour the channels for the X-factor and pretend its October. This weather will pass... probably the day the children go back to school, only then will the sun come out and the temperatures rise.

Either way, I wanted pasta but not a heavy wintery ragu or rich creamy carbonara but something light, (despite the addition of double cream, this feels incredibly light and fresh) fresh-flavoured and substantial enough to feed a crowd without needing salads and side dishes.... I used some sea bass that had been lurking in my freezer but any white fish fillet would be lovely with this zesty lemon sauce and chilli crunch.

Lemon Linguini with Sea Bass and Chilli Breadcrumbs

For the breadcrumbs:

100g fresh breadcrumbs 

zest of 2 lemons

2tsp hot chilli powder 

large handful fresh flat-leaf parsley

Toss the breadcrumbs with the chilli powder, parsley and lemon zest. 

Bake in a low oven for 10-15mins until crispy and lightly golden.

Set aside to sprinkle over the pasta before serving.

For the linguini

750g linguine

4 sea bass fillets

2 egg yolks

200ml double cream

juice of 2 lemons

30g butter

Cook the pasta according to pack instructions.

While the pasta is cooking, grill the sea bass fillets until lightly cooked.

Whisk together the egg yolks, cream and lemon juice. 

When the pasta is cooked, toss it in the butter till it melts and then add the egg and cream mixture. 

Serve a pile of pasta, topped with a few chunks of fish and sprinkled liberally with breadcrumbs.