Pasta, Rice and Pulses

Pasta is one of the all-time great convenience foods. It is cheap, quick to cook, keeps well, tastes good and can be served in a hundred-and-one different ways. What more can you ask for?

I always keep a packet of spaghetti, tagliatelle or fusilli in the cupboard, ready to make a quick pasta meal which might be as simple as plain pasta with a splash of olive oil, some crushed garlic and plenty of grated cheese.

Rice is another store-cupboard treasure and one that’s not always used to its full potential. If you thought rice was just something to dish up alongside Indian and Chinese food, then you’ve been missing out. Plain-cooked rice is good with practically any dish that has plenty of sauce, and it plays a more major role in dishes such as risottos and pilaus. Follow packet instructions for cooking rice and pasta.