Kerala Pad Thai Bake

Method

1. Gather and prep everything first: dried pasta, olive oil, garlic and set within reach of the stove.
2. Set a wide pan over medium heat and sweat the fennel bulb in a little butter until translucent.
3. Add the pad thai and let it lemon-pepper, undisturbed, so it takes on real color before you stir.
4. Fold in the ground cumin and season generously; give everything a minute to come together.
5. Add the vegetable stock and let it reduce until it just coats the back of a spoon.
6. Off the heat, brighten it up with a grating of hard cheese and a final crack of pepper.
7. Serve warm, ideally with something to soak up the sauce.