World Pasta Day
It’s the delicious, nutritious and versatile ingredients that never fail to comfort us; from slippery spring spaghetti to autumn bowls of bubbling mac’n’cheese, we love pasta in all its guises! With more than 600 pasta shapes produced worldwide, there’s no end of possibilities to create in the kitchen. Here’s our top ingredients to have on stand-by for a speedy supper...
1. Merchant Gourmet Sun Dried Tomatoes In Oil, £3.69, Ocado
One ingredient can make all the difference, and this small jar of sweet, succulent tomatoes can be blended to make a rich sauce or added, with the oil, to coat a chilled pasta salad - perfect leftovers for lunchboxes.
2. Tideford Organic Vegan Basil Pesto, £2.89, Ocado
For the speediest of midweek suppers, add a spoonful of this organic, gluten- and nut-free, blend of basil, chickpeas and pine kernels, whizzed with olive oil, garlic and lemon. tidefordorganics.com
3. Biona Organic Green Lentils, 80p, Morrisons
A fantastic source of protein and rich in dietary fibre with no added sugar or salt or need for soaking - makes the best lentil bolognese in minutes!
4. Bellavita Gluten-Free Mezze Penne, £5.99, bellavitashop.co.uk
Certified by the Italian Celiac Association (AIC), made using the best corn and rice flours, this one calls out for a chunky vegetable sauce.
bellavitashop.co.uk
5. Fragata Spanish Pitted Green Olives, £2.99, Ocado
Pitted green Manzanilla olives are a staple food in Spain - try them in this hearty recipe for chickpea, kale and olive pesto pasta.
6. Cypressa Mezzani, £1.25, Asda
Traditional Cypriot pasta, made in Limassol, since 1966. We love this one tossed through a basil pesto with crunchy pine nuts. Find the recipe here.
7. Kalamata Premium Olive Oil, £25
For the simplest of spaghetti dishes, you need the best ingredients to shine. A drizzle of this organic cold-pressed extra-virgin olive oil is good for your heart and your cooking! kalamatapremiumoliveoil.com
8. Explore Cuisine Edamame and Mung Bean Fettuccine, £3, Asda, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Ocado
A great gluten-free alternative to regular durum wheat pasta - try Explore Cuisine's recipe for mung bean fettuccine with courgette ribbons, pecans, pomegranate and pesto.
explorecuisine.com
9. Twineham Grange Vegetarian Hard Cheese, £2.85, Ocado
Vegetarian Society approved and an ethical alternative to Parmesan - try it grated on top of fresh pasta just before serving. It's freezes well too, so great to reducing food waste.
More from Vegetarian blog
If you don't eat meat, you develop a few habits and skills that meat eaters will never really understand...
If you've been appointed the resident Christmas dinner cook and you're starting to get the jitters about planning something exciting and flavoursome for a non-meat eating guest, here's our pick of the best festive feasts.
Want to make your meat-free life easier? Check out these shortcuts to delicious food
