CHRISSIE SWAN: 'This is the best thing you can take to a barbecue.'

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This is the best thing you can take to a barbecue. And it's really simple.

It's actually a recipe by the great actress Rachel Ward; I found it in a Women's Weekly magazine at least 20 years ago and have used it ever since. (Rachel's beautiful daughter Matilda has given me permission to use it!).

Pancetta is not always easy to find, so bacon will work fine. I also like a lot of dressing. I mean full stop, but particularly on this.

Serves: 6 to 8 as a side

Prep time: 25 minutes

Cook time: 55 minutes

Watch: Chrissie Swan shares her spaghetti bolognese recipe. Post continues after video.

Ingredients:

• 2 kg kent pumpkin, peeled and cut into 1.5 cm cubes

• 3 tablespoons olive oil

• 2 garlic cloves, crushed

• 12 thin slices pancetta

• 2 x 400 g tins chickpeas, drained and rinsed

• 1 loosely packed cup coriander leaves

Lemon and garlic dressing

• 3 tablespoons lemon juice

• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

• 1 garlic clove, crushed

Method:

Preheat the oven to 180°C fan-forced and line one or two large baking trays with baking paper.

Arrange the pumpkin on the baking trays, drizzle with the oil and sprinkle with garlic. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, then toss well to coat everything. Roast for 45 minutes or until tender. Set aside to cool slightly.

Meanwhile, to make the lemon and garlic dressing, place the ingredients in a bowl along with salt and pepper to taste and whisk until well combined. Set aside.

Arrange the pancetta on a large baking tray in a single layer. Bake in the oven for 10–12 minutes or until crisp. Remove from the tray and allow to cool slightly before breaking into smaller pieces or roughly chopping.

Place the roast pumpkin, pancetta, chickpeas and coriander in a large bowl. Add the dressing and season with salt and pepper to taste. Gently toss to coat the salad in the dressing before serving.

Shortcut: Don't be afraid of bottled lemon juice because, really, who can be bothered squeezing lemons?!

The Shortcut Queen by Chrissie Swan is now available for purchase here.

The Shortcut Queen by Chrissie Swan. Image: Supplied.

Want to learn more easy recipes? Read these next:

• CHRISSIE SWAN: 'The only choc chip cookie recipe you'll ever need.'

• SIMPLE HOME EDIT: 'The minimal-effort dinner that gets requested on repeat in our house.'

• RECIPETIN EATS: 'The salad I recommend everyone makes for work or a long lunch.'

Feature image: Supplied.