I’m not really one to ‘meal plan’. Even if, interestingly, that is often touted as quite an effective way to reduce food waste in the kitchen. If I’m honest, I just never get organized. Instead, I like to invest in one ingredient, and see what I can add to it from the excess odds and ends I have lying around [perhaps you can relate…]. So. Dry Chickpeas. A cheap and cheerful pantry ingredient. And THIS WEEK’S #1Dish1Week HERO. Let's investigate.
I recently stopped by Caravan’s latest Bankside soft opening and devoured the most delicious roasted squash with miso, blue cheese and thai basil (weird, but fantastic). Shortly thereafter I read Tasting Table’s post on How to Cook with Squash Seeds; not bake nor roast, but cook. Intrigued. And as we all know, at this time of year, carved, hulled, decapitated pumpkins are a-plenty. Along with a little bestover imagination and fridge-find inspiration, this recipe was born.
It’s funny how we often don’t think about what we don’t eat and why we don’t. Cauliflower leaves are one such example. Growing up, it’s what protected the food. Now, it is the food. When you don’t feel like spending on 101 cruciferous veg - that can cost an arm and a leg in some parts of the world - buy the cauliflower and get the best bang for your buck.
This is the best and only pasta salad, you will ever need in your life. We can shake on it if you’d like? Here’s why: it literally combines everything you need in a dish, in texture, flavour, colour, nutritional balance and indulgence. Even Masterchef would be impressed. So simple, packed with flavour, born from the simple desire to eat all our favourite things. And whaddya know, perfect leftover-pasta-bestover-recipe (how's that for a tongue-twister): my mum’s Mediterranean Pasta Salad.
