Quick & Inspiring | #BackPocketPasta Recipes

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