Stock and soup may go hand-in-hand, but there are far more ways to use the pantry essential than a broth-based dish. Like flour and sugar, stock is a building block and a healthy one at that, if you choose the right brand to use – one like the plant-based, Australian-owned Massel. Pull yourself out of your stock rut and give the ingredient a chance to be creative with the following five recipe suggestions:

Warm sweet potato hummus

Who doesn’t love hummus? But a twist on the traditional is a welcome addition to any gathering. Much like this warm sweet potato hummus that’s an easy option for entertaining. Combine together the traditional hummus ingredients (tahini, chickpeas, lemon juice and garlic) and add roasted sweet potato. The secret ingredient? Warm Massell stock drizzled into the dish to emulsify and infuse the flavours.

Super-healthy pesto pasta

Pesto pasta is an easy (and delicious) option to whip up for a weeknight dinner, but there is a simple tweak that can be made to make the dish a little more health-conscious. Namely, replace half the olive oil normally used in the pesto sauce with stock. Throw in some basil, parsley, parmesan and toasted almonds and you have yourself a tasty take on pesto that is not only more healthy but comes with an added boost of flavour.

Tuna poke bowl

Make your own version of the most popular dish of the moment. Add extra flavour to your poke (and reduce your need for soy sauce or other toppings) by cooking the brown rice base in stock to infuse it with flavour. Top the cooked rice with fresh sashimi tuna, crispy onions and finely shredded cabbage, and drizzle with some green chilli sauce.

One-pan pasta with summer tomatoes and burrata

This may be the ultimate dish for the time-poor (and hungry). Simply place spaghetti, chopped garlic, cherry tomatoes and stock in a pot, cooking the pasta until it is al dente. The flavour of the stock and the tomatoes will form a tasty sauce for the pasta that requires no draining or the use of separate pans (an added bonus for those on cleaning duty). Spoon into bowls and top with creamy burrata and fresh basil leaves.

Super fast fishcakes

Easy, tasty and full of omega-3, fishcakes are a weekday go-to. Revamp your tried-and-true recipe with this super speedy version that sees potatoes cooked in stock for a boost of flavour. Once cooked, mash them up and combine with herbs and smoked trout (or your choice of fish). Roll into flat cakes and press into breadcrumbs before frying lightly and serving with salad.

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