Buddy Oliver’s Greens Pasta

Whiz the garlic bread in a food processor or blender until you have fine crumbs, then toast in a large shallow non-stick casserole pan on a medium heat until lightly golden and crisp, and tip into a small bowl.

Break the broccoli into bite-sized florets, finely slicing the stalk. Trim and slice the spring onions, and peel and finely chop the garlic.

Drizzle 1 tablespoon of olive oil into the casserole pan and place back on a medium heat. Add the broccoli stalks, spring onions and garlic, followed 2 minutes later by half the peas and all the spinach.

Season with a pinch of sea salt and black pepper, then cook for 10 minutes, or until soft and the spinach has defrosted, stirring regularly.

Meanwhile, cook the pasta in a large pan of boiling salted water according to the packet instructions, adding the broccoli florets and remaining peas for the last 3 minutes. Finely grate the cheese.

Scoop 250ml of the starchy cooking water from the pasta pan and stir it into the vegetable pan with the cheese, then blitz until smooth.

Drain the pasta, broccoli and peas, toss with the sauce, and serve up, finishing with a fine grating of cheese. Serve the garlicky breadcrumbs alongside, for sprinkling over.

My Dad’s Nutrition Team helped me to make sure that the recipes in Let’s Cook are the right balance between nutritious everyday foods and things to be enjoyed occasionally. The recipes can be enjoyed by your whole family, so just dish up smaller portions if you’re cooking for little siblings. Throughout the book, there are also handy tips to building positive eating habits that are easy to remember, and will help you on the path to leading a healthier, happier life.

 Let’s Cook: Fun, easy recipes for kids by Buddy Oliver is published by Penguin Michael Joseph ©Jamie Oliver Enterprises Limited (2024 Let’s Cook). Recipe photography: © David Loftus, 2024.

Buddy’s new show, Cooking Buddies, airs on CBBC and iPlayer in July 2024.