Pasta Primavera

Pasta Primavera, is probably one of the most healthiest version of Pasta.There is no separate sauce required for making this pasta.It is a combination of fresh vegetables sauteed with minced garlic and Olive Oil.It is very simple and easy to make.Traditionally, Parmesan cheese is added to it as a final topping. I have skipped adding cheese as I wanted to keep it vegan and healthy. Also, I have added balsamic vinegar for additional flavor and taste. 

The taste and flavor to this pasta comes from the fusion of fresh roasted vegetables in herbed olive oil and garlic with balsamic vinegar .

Indulge in this sin free healthilicious Italian Treat.

Serves : 2-3

Ingredients

1. Extra Virgin Olive Oil/ normal edible Olive Oil - 1/4 cup
2. Durum Wheat Pasta - 1.5 cups  
3. Balsamic Vinegar - 1 tbsp 
4. Mixed Italian seasoning - 2 tsp or more depending on taste
5. Garlic - 4 pods (minced finely)
6. Salt and Pepper to taste

Vegetables

• Broccoli - 6-7 florets
• Red Bell Pepper - 1 small (cut into julienne)
• Yellow Bell Pepper - 1 small (cut into julienne)
• Baby corn - 4 (slit length wise)
• Onion - 1 small (cut lengthwise)
• Tomato - 1 large or 2 small (chopped finely)
• American sweet corn- 2 tbsp

Method

1. Boil broccoli and baby corn for about 2 mins with tsp of salt. Strain them and keep it aside. Cook Pasta till Al Dente and keep aside.

2. Take a pan, add olive oil. Add some minced garlic and onion and saute till nice aroma and onions turn translucent on a medium flame.

3. Add all the veggies (other than broccoli and baby corn) and saute for 2 mins with some salt, pepper and mixed herb seasoning. Ensure the flame low-medium and not high.

4. Now add broccoli and baby corn and cook for 5 more mins. Ensure that all the veggies are nicely cooked and covered in herb flavored Olive oil and garlic.

5. Now add the cooked pasta and saute well. Drizzle the balsamic vinegar and toss well so that the pasta is covered uniformly blended well with the aromatic flavored vegetables.

6. Drizzle some more olive oil and serve it piping hot with slice of bread or Soups.

Notes,Tips & Add-on's

1. You can add any veggies of your choice and any number of vegetables. Absolutely left to your convenience.
2. You can add some grated Parmesan or any other cheese on top before serving.

All about Balsamic Vinegar of Modena

It was a lazy Sunday noon and I was flipping through all the TV channels. That is when I bumped into a food channel - guess FOOD Network if am not wrong. I love to watch any channel related to travel and food. It is very interesting to see how the cuisines from across the globe is being prepared, the culture,food habits and their lifestyle. Anyways, coming to the post, this was one particular episode on exclusive coverage about Balsamic Vinegar :):). Yeah, right from how it is being prepared and how it is used in Italian cooking and everything about it. I was so much fascinated and was so keen to buy and try it !!! Below is the product that I could get hold of from near by 'Nuts' n 'Spices' :)

For the very first time when I tried it, I found that it had a strong aroma which I really didn't like much :\ . The taste was bit sweet. I was confused if I did the right thing by purchasing this. But believe me, it is worth every penny if you use it and eat it the right way:):) 

What is Balsamic Vinegar and where is it Originated?

Let's see what wikipedia has to say about Balsamic Vinegar.

Balsamic vinegar (Italian: aceto balsamico) is a very dark, concentrated, and intensely flavored vinegar made wholly or partially from grape must, originating in Italy.

Traditionally, it is made in Modena, Italy. 

Benefits

You can see the health benefits of Blasamic Vinegar listed here.

How can you use it :)

Personally, I have tried to use it in chinese cooking like Gobi Manchurian, Fried Rice and Noodles. Check out here. This will add some strong flavor along with soy sauce. Just drizzle some balsamic vinegar along with soy sauce to your cooking and you can taste the magic.

Also, it tastes best with fresh strawberries. Balsamic Vinegar and strawberries make an exotic romantic combination. Just drizzle a drop of Balsamic vinegar on fresh slices of strawberries. Every bite is juicy and yum.

One other dish which I tried was making Pineapple vinaigrette. Blend some fresh Pineapple with a tbsp of Balsamic Vinegar. You can add other tropical fruits like mango or anything of your choice. Blend at high speed and serve chilled. This is a great Mock tail for summer and to detox your body.




You can use Balsamic Vinegar as a great salad dressing, just drizzle them on any of your favorite salads. Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar are a great heavenly combination that can take your travel buds all the way to Italy. One such Salad recipe which uses Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar is Posted here. Balsamic Roasted Vegetables.

It can be used in your favorite pasta, as a salad dressing for pasta salad. It is all about your taste buds. 
I personally like to add it to my pasta recipe Pasta Primavera and Pasta Arrabiata.

It can be even drizzled on your favorite deserts, ice creams like vanilla or butterscotch.


Explore this Balsamic Vinegar , a traditional artisan product of Modena, Italy in your cooking and share your comments. Big love to All the Foodies :):)

Balsamic Roasted Vegetables

This is my easiest and most healthy option for dinner. Weekly twice, I tend to have just this salad for my dinner. It is definitely a sin free indulgence. I have used extra virgin olive oil and Balsamic Vinegar as dressing.Both these two combinations are heavenly with rich flavor and aroma that you almost travel to Italy. Know more about Balsamic Vinegar and its uses here. This has all the veggies that is sure the satisfy your taste buds as well as your hunger without gaining pounds. This is so easy to prepare. Whenever you want to detox your body with an healthy alternate, just go for it:):)

serves:2

Ingredients

1. Extra Virgin Olive Oil - 1/4 cup
2. Paneer/cottage cheese/tofu - 6-7 small cubes
3. Pineapple slices - 3 (Cubed)
4. Baby corn - 5 (sliced thinly)
5. Onion - 1 large (chopped roughly)
6. Tomato - 1 large (chopped finely)
7. Broccoli - 5-6 florets
8. Red Bell Pepper - 1 small or 1/2 big
9. yellow Bell Pepper - 1 small or 1/2 big
10. Green Capsicum - 1 small or 1/2 big
11. Balsamic Vinegar - 2 tbsp or more as per taste
12. Mixed Italian Herb Seasoning - 1 tbsp or more as per taste
13. Salt and pepper to taste

Method

1. Boil Broccoli and baby corn with a pinch of salt for about 2 mins. The broccoli should be semi cooked. Strain the contents and keep it aside.

2. Heat a pan and add olive oil. Add Onion and saute until transparent. Add bell peppers,capsicum,tomatoes and saute well for 2 mins.

3. Add strained baby corn and broccoli and saute well in Olive Oil. Add needed salt.

4. Add paneer and pineapple cubes and saute well.

5. Add Italian seasoning and fresh ground pepper. Saute on a medium flame for all the veggies to get cooked and soft.

7. Drizzle Balsamic vinegar in the last, raise the flame high and do a high speed saute for 2 mins. Don't take off your hand else the vegetables might be burnt. 

8. Keep on medium- high flame for about 2 mins for all the vinegar and water to be absorbed by the veggies.

9. Once done, switch off the flame. Transfer the salad to plate and serve hot:):)

Notes,Tips & Add-on's

1. You can add any veggies of your choice according to your taste buds. Choices like Brussels ,carrots go well with this salad.
2.  Pineapple and paneer tastes great with balsamic vinegar and hence I have used them in my salad. Off course, paneer is a great source of protein too and pineapple provides the additional sweetness and 'tanginess' that tastes great with balsamic vinegar.
3. You can use strawberries,olives or any toppings for your salad.
4. You can also add feta cheese, they taste great with balsamic vinegar.