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.

Corn and Capsicum White Penne Pasta

I love Cheese pasta and I have had it several times in Hotels and restaurants, especially when I go for buffet dinner. I still remember having this cheesy white pasta at a restaurant called "Mathsya" at T.Nagar. He made it then and there and served it super hot.I was just blown away by that creamy taste.Dominoes also serve this white pasta. Once, my good friend who has designed the title header for Griha Bhojanam had made this pasta on an occasion.Until then,I never even wondered that pasta was something that could be made easily at home.This recipe has been stolen from him :P Here is the simple, easy white sauce pasta recipe that could be made very easily at home.

serves:2-3

Ingredients

Cooking the pasta

1. Penne Pasta - 250 grams/ 1 cup
2. Olive Oil/Cooking Oil-2 tsp
3. Salt - 1 tsp
4. Water for Boiling

White sauce

1. Maida- 4 tbsp 
2. Butter - 2 tbsp 
3. Milk - 3 Cup (boiled and cooled)
4. Cheese Cubes -2 

Other Ingredients

1. Green Capsicum -1/2 (Cut into thin small lengthwise pieces)
2. American sweet corn kernels- 1/2 cup *I used frozen ones
3. Salt as required

Seasoning

1. Mixed Italian Herbs - 2 tsp
2. Grated Cheese - 3-4 tbsp *I used amul processed cheese
3. Pepper Powder - 2 tsp

Method

1. Take a kadai/pan, add butter and maida to it. Roast the maida in butter.

2. Add milk and constantly keep stirring the milk and maida. Ensure no lumps are formed.

3. Add cheese cubes,herbs seasoning,pepper powder and constantly stir till you get a smooth saucy texture.

4. Add corn kernels to the above white sauce and mix well.

5. Saute capsicum in a tsp of oil for 2-3 mins in a separate pan and add it to the white sauce.

6. Cook pasta till Al Dente.

7. Now add the cooked pasta to the white sauce and gently mix. The pasta should blend well with the white sauce.

8. Ensure the cooked pasta is mixed well with the sauce.

9. Close the lid for 5 mins and allow the pasta to get blended with the white sauce.

10. Serve the hot cheesy creamy white pasta with grated cheese and some seasoning.