Linguine with Heady Hot Pepper Tequila-Tomato cream

Deliciously cross-continental in style, pairing the vivid flavours of Italy with the equally vivid ones of Mexico, this is an adaptation of the vodka-tomato-cream sauces that were so popular in Rome several years ago.

Serve as a first course, Italian-style, and follow with butter-brushed grilled crab, lobster or prawns, and a salad of mixed greens and chopped herbs.