Cauliflower Chilli By Lesley Waters

CAULIFLOWER & CHILLI

Cauliflower, cheddar cheese and big pasta shells are transformed by the addition of red chilli in this warming dish!

LESLEY WATERS

INGREDIENTS

• 1 tablespoon olive oil • 4 rashers bacon, chopped • 150mls (1/4pt) white wine • 150mls (1/4 pt) vegetable stock • 1 red chilli, finely chopped • 450g (1lb) large cauliflower florets • 350g (12oz) large dried green pasta shells • 55g (2oz) mature cheddar cheese, grated • 1 bunch flat leaf parsley, chopped • salt & freshly ground black pepper

Serves 4

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large pan, heat the oil. Add the bacon and fry for 5 minutes. 2. Stir in the wine, stock and chilli and cook for 5 minutes. Add the cauliflower and season well.

Cover and steam for 8-10 minutes until the cauliflower is cooked. 3. Meanwhile, cook the pasta as directed on the packet. 4. To serve, drain the pasta and toss with the chilied cauliflower, cheddar cheese and parsley. 5. Transfer to serving bowls, scatter with a little more parsley and serve at once.

AFTER what has been an incredibly challenging year for the hospitality industry which has seen pubs, bars, and restaurants closing with little notice and struggling with restrictions when allowed to open, there was some good news for The Half Moon Inn Melplash, which was awarded “Pub of the Year” 2020 in the Dorset Tourism Awards.

Jamie Pimbley, Landlord at the Half Moon said: ‘2020 has been a trying year but it has given us chance to strengthen our ties within our local community as they have shown us incredible support. Without their support, and a generous local donor who has asked to remain anonymous, we would have had a very different year. The Lockdown in March gave us time to design a web site which was able to process our customers’ orders to give the best service you could wish for. This award means so very much to us and our team, and has made the struggles of the last year all worth while.’

Clare Pimbley, Landlady at the Half Moon added: ‘Having only just celebrated our first “pub” birthday days before we had to close for the first lockdown last March, we were very concerned for our future at The Half Moon. 2020 gave us time to spend time with our three sons and support them as they began their home schooling adventure. Our second year has seen us transform our business to a pub at home format and we are so proud of our team who have worked so hard to enable this.’

Chair of the Judging Panel Professor Peter Jones congratulated the winners: ‘Dorset tourism, like tourism the world over, is demonstrating resilience and fortitude in coping with the impact and implications of Covid-19 in some amazing ways.’ For more about The Half Moon and their popular takeaway service visit https://halfmoonmelplash.co.uk/