Sunday 25 November 2012

Very Quick, Easy, Family Meal - Pea Pasta.



This is my 22nd random recipe challenge. (Dom from Belleau Kitchen challenges us each month to choose a recipe at random from our cookbooks to try.)  I was lucky to get a lovely quick and easy recipe that went down well with the family.  

If the kids ask what's for tea and I reply "pasta", I get lots of "yay"s.  Their favourite meal is actually one of our quick, shoved together concoctions from the storecupboard - chickpea pasta.  To make this, we cook some wholemeal pasta in boiling water, and while that's cooking, slice some garlic and heat it gently in a good slug of olive oil then add a drained tin of chickpeas to heat through too.  Mix the pasta into the other ingredients and sprinkle on a heap of grated parmesan.  Simple, eh?  That's what we do often on the nights I am working, we just don't have time to cook properly, or we haven't been shopping for any fresh ingredients.  Lazy meal but perfectly nutritious.

This recipe is really very similar.  I chose it randomly from Real Fast Food by Nigel Slater.  I recommend getting a copy of this book if you need to do quick, easy meals from time to time.  It is just full of ideas and suggestions for things to plonk together but with loads of variations and a whole heap of inspiration.  If you feel a little intimidated by the rather high class "leftovers" Nigel seems to have in his cupboards and fridge in the last couple of TV series, don't worry - as this recipe shows, so much of what is in this book is just really normal, accessible ingredients.



The front of the book states that there are 350 recipes all of which take less than 30 mins to make.  I have had this book for years and have made loads from it and been inspired by it so many times.  Perfect for busy families.  And it was published in 1992 - long before Jamie Oliver's fast food versions. My copy is a rather battered and grease spattered paperback and there are no photos in the book.  It's a book for using, not for sitting prettily on the coffee table.

So, onto the recipe.  Basically, cook your pasta.  Pour some olive oil into a pan, add some frozen peas, finely sliced onion and some mint.  Heat gently for 10 mins then mix into the pasta.

Gives us an alternative to our chickpea version and the kids loved it nearly as much.  It's their second favourite pasta dish.  



13 comments:

  1. Simple can be the best when it comes to pasta. I like to whizz up peas with nuts, garlic and parmesan to make a pesto and stir that through the pasta.

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  2. Yes, I am a big fan of freshly made pesto and trying different variations of it. I have tried a pea version before as well and obviously that has the same benefit of being able to use frozen peas so doesn't need a special trip to the shops.
    We have had your bubble and squeak cakes a few times in the last couple of weeks - brilliant! Might blog about them too at some point.

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  3. Yum! We do an exact similar thing regularly, but including a wee packet of ready cubed pancetta in the frying and a big dollop of creme freche with Parmesan at the end. Failsafe 10 minute dinner!

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    1. Oh yeah- that sounds great!

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    2. And reminds me that I make a version with peas and jumbo prawns and creme fraiche too.

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  4. I love this Slater book. My kids love pea pasta too, and also the HF-W version in Veg Everyday - macaroni peas - it's a great one.

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    1. I still haven't tried the macaroni peas but I have taken Veg out of the library again.

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  5. look at the shiny peas... something so simple and easy is just so full of absolute pleasure... I want to be part of your family meal times. 22 random recipe eh? I love that you've been on board since the beginning and I love having you along every month x

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  6. I love this - not least because of all the comments adding their two cents' worth - I do this sort of thing too but would never have thought of adding chickpeas. That's very clever. I'd add some nice tinned tuna (in nice oil) too. Yum!

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    1. Yes, I love getting other ideas. Us busy Mums need to share the ideas for quick meals. :)

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  7. What a great, easy recipe!

    I'm starting a new food party, so maybe you'll check it out too! http://lawstudentscookbook.wordpress.com/2012/11/27/introducing-pantry-party/

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  8. Sounds good - and one that is likely to be a hit with Mini-M. She's a bit of a pasta fiend :o)

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  9. This looks wonderful, tasty, healthy and so easy! I am a fan of Mr. Slater but I don't have that book. Off to the (internet) shops to look for it!

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