Meal for one

It’s time to use the air fryer again. I bought 5 prawn cocktails with tails, diced bacon, leftover lemon and herb bread crumbs, salads, 4 eggs, a small ball of vermicelli pasta, and enough flour to make crumbed prawns.

I saw a post about pasta frittata from Basilicata and changed the ingredients and cooking method. I use my air fryer to bake it instead of using a saucepan. The word frittata means “mess” in Italian; the phrase ‘hai fatto una frittata’ implies that you have made a mess. This expression likely originated because a frittata was a way to use up leftovers rather than a special recipe.

Google: “Breadcrumbs are made from leftover bread that is ground into small pieces. They can be light brown or pink and have a sandy texture when dried. Fresh breadcrumbs are more crumbly. Usually, breadcrumbs come from toasted bread; they help soak up moisture in recipes and assist in binding. Bread, especially whole wheat, is high in fiber, which can aid digestion, control blood sugar, and cholesterol levels, and reduce hunger.”

This is a great way to use leftover and uncooked dry pasta for a light lunch or dinner with cherry tomatoes and mixed salad. A while ago, I had bake pasta in an air fryer, even though the recipe advised not to use cheese. I reduced the cheese and added bread crumbs instead. My baked pasta, inspired by a food blogger, turned out perfectly round, cute, comforting, colourful, and delicious. Let’s bake pasta and prawns in an air fryer!

Ingredients

Baked pasta

1 small ball of dried vermicelli
2 Tbs diced bacon
2 eggs, beaten
2 Tbs lemon and herb bread crumbs
1 Tbs minced garlic
1 Tbs butter, melted
10 g Parmesan Pecorino, divide
black pepper
oil
butter, grease
double layer foils on small baking tray, to prevent leakage and easy to clean air fryer
1 metal food stacker, grease with oil

Crumbed prawns

5 prawns cocktail with tails on
30 g lemon and herb bread crumbs
80 g plain flour
2 eggs, beaten
salt
black pepper
spray oil

Salad

2 cherry tomatoes
some salad
salt (OPT)
black pepper
spray oil

Method

Wash the prawns, dry them with paper towels, and place them on a paper towel-lined plate. Refrigerate for 10-15 minutes. Line a baking tray that fits in the air fryer with foil, spray it with oil, and set aside for the prawns. Start cooking pasta in a pot of boiling salted water until al dente.

Meanwhile, wrap double layers of foil on the baking tray for pasta. Grease some oil inside of the food stacker, place food stacker in the prepared baking tray for pasta. When pasta is al dente, drain and sets aside to let it cool. Next, prepare three shallow plates. In the first plate, add flour and season with salt and pepper. In the second plate, beat the eggs. In the third plate, place the bread crumbs.

In a pan heat oil over medium heat. Add garlic and bacon; cook until it starts to brown. Removed to a plate. Using the same pan, add a little bit more oil, then add bread crumbs, toss until starts to brown. Removed to a plate.

Crack the eggs into a large metal bowl and beat them. Next add 5 g Parmesan Pecorino cheese, bacon, garlic, melted butter and bread crumbs in and mix well together. Season with pepper. When pasta had cooled, add in to egg bacon mixture, toss until pasta is well incorporated with the egg bacon mixture.

Spoon pasta egg bacon mixture into the food stacker and put the remaining Parmesan Pecorino cheese on top. Remove air fryer cup and put the pasta baking tray inside the air fryer cup. Put the air fryer cup back into the machine, switch on air fryer plug, set the temperature to 180 degrees C. Bake it for about 10-12 minutes. Remove the baking tray from the cup of air fryer. Sit aside with a tented foil to keep warm.

Bring out the prawns. Coat 5 prawns in seasoned flour using a food clipper, then dip in the egg mixture with another food clipper. Coat again in seasoned flour, then in beaten egg, and finally in bread crumbs. Ensure each prawn is fully covered in bread crumbs.

Put 5 crumbed prawns in the baking tray without overcrowding. Lightly spray the tops with oil. Place the tray in the cup of air fryer and set it to 160 degrees C for 6 minutes. Stop, take out the cup, and turn the prawns halfway through; also spray oil on any dry spots. Return the cup to the machine and roast for another 4 minutes until they are crispy and golden brown. Remove from baking tray and the cup of air fryer. Place the pasta baking tray into the cup and into the machine to reheat at 180 degrees C for 2 minutes.

Assemble salad in the middle of the square plate, place two cherry tomatoes opposite the salads, followed by 4 crumbed prawns on the 4 corner and on top of salad. When pasta is heated up, removed from the machine, cup of air fryer and baking tray. Lift the pasta with stacker gently and plate up on top of salad, remove the food stacker with a palette knife, carefully. Then place a crumbed prawn on top of baked pasta. Serve immediately with a glass of white wine. Enjoy!!!

https://helenscchin.com/2024/09/25/air-fryer-crumbed-prawn-baked-pasta-with-salad/

Recipe link from: Pasta Frittata from Basilicata: https://www.the-pasta-project.com/vermicelli-pasta-frittata-basilicata/

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