Pasta, Rice and Grains

Together with pulses, pasta, rice and grains are the essentials of the dry store cupboard. They provide us with substance cheaply, their role in diet being partly one of bulk, and at the same time the textural and taste counterpoints to the fresh ingredients which often need a supporting player before they can really shine. These are ancient and modern parts of our stores. Dried foods were once essential to support people through the winter or in times of famine. Today we can make the most of them, and be grateful that they can play as many roles as our imagination permits.