Decadent Pasta Sauce with Bacon, Caremelised Onion and Peas with Tortellini

1 onion, peeled and halved and sliced very thinly
3 tbs olive oil
3 tbs unsalted butter
6 shortcut rashers of bacon, sliced
1 cup frozen peas
5 basil leaves, washed and torn
salt and pepper to taste
300g tortellini

Place the butter, oil and onion and a sprinkle of kosher salt in a frying pan. Fry on medium heat for 5-7 minutes (make sure the onion is coated with the buttery oil mixture and stir regularly).

Turn the heat down to low and fry for 45 minutes or until the onion has caramelised. Stir regularly during this period.

While the onion is cooking, render the bacon in oil by frying in a frying pan over medium heat for 5 minutes and then turning the heat down to low, stirring regularly for 10-15 minutes or until the bacon is crisp but not dry.

Just before the onion is cooked, cook the tortelilni according to the packet instructions.

While the tortellini is cooking, strain the onion in a sieve over a bowl to collect the buttery oil mixture. Press the onion with a fork to extract as much oil and butter as possible.

While the tortellini is still cooking gently fry the peas in the buttery oil mixture until tender.

When the pasta is cooked, drain it and stir through the onion, bacon, peas and remaining buttery oil mixture.

Stir to combine and sprinkle over the basil.

Add salt and pepper to taste and serve with parmesan cheese if preferred.

Works well served with pesto, warmed cream or tomato sauce.