Faced with an empty fridge and the familiar pre-shop grumbles, food writer Rukmini Iyer has crafted the ultimate store-cupboard saviour. Her harissa-spiked orzo with chickpeas and pine nuts is a quick, 15-minute recipe that transforms simple pantry staples into a vibrant, satisfying meal. It's a dish designed for weeknights, end-of-the-month budgets, and effortless work-from-home lunches.
The Store-Cupboard Hero: Simple Ingredients, Big Flavour
This recipe champions convenience without compromising on taste. The foundation is 200g of orzo pasta, cooked in salted water. The sauce comes together in one pan, starting with toasting 30g of pine nuts until golden, a step that requires constant attention to prevent burning. Into the same pan goes olive oil, finely grated garlic, and 200g of halved cherry tomatoes for a vital fresh note.
The heart of the dish is the two heaped tablespoons of rose harissa paste, with Iyer recommending the Belazu brand. This is combined with a 400g tin of drained chickpeas to create a deeply spiced, hearty base. The juice of half a lemon cuts through the richness, while a mugful of reserved pasta water helps emulsify the sauce to a silky consistency.
A Brilliant Finishing Touch Inspired by Nigel Slater
One of the recipe's cleverest twists is its finishing element. Iyer credits an old Nigel Slater recipe for the idea of using yoghurt to complete a pasta dish. Here, two heaped tablespoons of Greek yoghurt are dolloped on top before serving, providing a creamy, cooling balance to the fiery harissa. A scattering of fresh flat-leaf parsley adds a final flourish, if you have it.
Adaptable and Perfect for Any Night
The beauty of this dish lies in its flexibility. It serves two generously but can be easily scaled. Iyer positions it as an excellent solution for busy evenings and a clever way to use up cupboard essentials. The method is straightforward: toast the nuts, cook the orzo, and build the sauce in the nut pan for minimal washing up. The entire process, from prep to plate, takes just 25 minutes.
This harissa orzo is more than just a recipe; it's a strategy for effortless, flavourful eating. It proves that with a few well-chosen store-cupboard ingredients—pasta, pulses, spices, and a dairy staple—you can create a restaurant-worthy meal in less time than it takes for a delivery to arrive.
