Recipe inspiration seems to be everywhere these days but when it’s 7pm on a Tuesday evening and you’re standing with the fridge door open staring blankly into the distance, that thunderbolt of inspiration seems pretty distant doesn’t it? Until now….
If you find yourself in this situation, grab your iPhone and go to Instagram. If you don’t already have this amazing app you should definitely download it – we post on Instagram at least once a day – you can see our account here in case you want to take a look. Once you’ve got Instagram open, search for the hashtag #backpocketpasta.
I first spotted this a few months ago via Bon Appétit’s instagram account. The idea behind it is that you use only regular store cupboard ingredients – the key ingredient being pasta (fantastic gluten free options available here from Doves Farm).
It all started with Colu Henry, Bon Appétit’s special projects director (follow her here) who would frequently post inspiring images of her latest #backpocketpasta creations.
If you keep certain staples in your kitchen and keep it simple, you can actually create an incredible array of beautiful pasta dishes. So it’s a good idea to keep the following items (or a combination thereof) in stock in your kitchen if you can…
Cook’s Pantry
Good olive oil
Garlic
Onion
Nuts (toast and chop them for crunch)
Tinned tomatoes and fresh tomatoes
Fresh cracked black pepper
Chilli flakes
Breadcrumbs (to mix with lemon zest or herbs—or buy Panko breadcrumbs and keep in fridge).
White vermouth or white wine (for deglazing the pan)
Maldon salt
In the Fridge
Flat-leaf parsley
Lemon
Hard, salty cheeses like Parmesan or Pecorino
Eggs
Bacon or pancetta
And now for some inspiration… don’t worry, these are the simplest and most delicious looking #backpocketpasta recipes:
Bucatini with rocket, chilli flakes, parmesan by @natalieparamore
Tuna, garlic, olive oil, parmesan cheese, lemon, chilli flakes and fresh breadcrumbs by @estherjr
Penne with pesto made from rocket, parsley, pistachios by @everydayfeasts
Smokey bacon bits, mushrooms, mozzarella and sprinkled with micro greens by @lion_itn
Mini penne pasta with sauteed kale, garlic, carrots, lemon juice, feta cheese, olive oil and a soft boiled egg by @seullove
