The world is in absolute chaos right now and our news streams are filled with horrifying images of war, destruction, flood ripped damage and isolated people displaced by climate disasters and dictatorship regimes alike. It’s hard to wake up to such heavy and heart breaking stories each day, despite most of us being in privileged positions, un affected by the life destroying events tearing across our planet. If you can spare some change to support relief efforts in Australia and the Ukraine, I’ve added some donation options below the recipe details.
So to find a bit of comfort in all the crazy, I turn to pasta. I wanted to share a really delicious pasta recipe that will warm and fill you up, but that is also very simple, quick and low cost, so there is no chance of additional stress or anxiety following you around the kitchen. You can add extra veggies if you have them, and can use any pasta type you like. I’ve tried it with spaghetti, fettuccini and gnocchi and it’s equally good.
Ingredients
4 cups of rigatoni pasta
8-10 campari tomatoes
1 cup raw cashews (soaked for one hour minimum, 4 hours is ideal , with a 1 tsp of apple cider vinegar if you have it)
1 small white potato
1 cup oat milk (or soy)
2 tbsp nutritional yeast
1 clove garlic
1/2 tbsp olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
fresh basil and dried chili flakes to garnish (optional)
Recipe
- Turn your oven on to 180 degrees. Place tomatoes, chopped potatoes and the clove of garlic on a roasting pan and drizzle with olive oil and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Roast vegetables for close to half and hour or until the tomatoes are about to, or have burst their little jackets (the potatoes might take a little longer, roast until soft).
- Soak cashews in warm water for one hour minimum (longer if you can) with 1 tsp of apple cider vinegar.
- Pour water into a large pot with a sprinkle of salt and bring to the boil. Cook pasta until al dente. Save some pasta water for the sauce (1/2 cup). Drain pasta and set aside.
- To make the sauce, place the cashews (drain away water), milk, garlic, potatoes, tomatoes and nutritional yeast into a highspeed blender and pulse until smooth and creamy. If too thick, spoon a 1 tbsp of pasta water to the sauce and blend again.
- Return pasta to the pot and stir through the sauce.
- Sprinkle pasta with dried chili, fresh basil and enjoy!
This recipe serves four people and will keep as left overs in the fridge for several days.
Serving tips
I make this dish just as it is (with chili and basil as per ingredients list), fresh out of the pot. If I’m in need of some additional veggies, I will toss some kale in a pan with a splash of the pasta water, some lemon rind and a sprinkle of salt and pepper to serve along side the pasta, or tossed through. It is also yum served with any left over roasted tomatoes, rocket or baby spinach. I also usually add more nutritional yeast on the top for extra cheesy flavours!
Disaster relief donations
I trust the Red Cross and their work. I have volunteered with them, I know people who work in the organisation at high levels who can vouch for their efficacy, proficiency, ethical conduct and importantly their compassionate drive and delivery of critical services. I have donated funds to Red Cross but there are many others organisations that provide specific relief efforts like supplies, food, medical aid and equipment, support to displaced people and families and relief specific for children.
For flood donations for NSW and QLD regions, visit: https://www.redcross.org.au/
For the Ukraine Crisis Appeal: https://www.redcross.org.au/ukraine/#:~:text=Your%20donation%20to%20the%20Ukraine,the%20unfolding%20crisis%20in%20Ukraine.&text=Charity%20donations%20%242%20or%20more,are%20tax%2Ddeductible%20in%20Australia.
Here is a list of other ways you can support the crisis in the Ukraine (I trust the reporting of the Guardian): https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/25/how-can-australians-help-the-people-of-ukraine:
