Guest post - Cilantro pesto sauce Pasta

I was really thrilled to see Sapana's request to do a guest post.I have known Sapana through the blogging world for some time now.I just love to see and drool over some of her yummy creations.I am excited to do my 2nd guest post at Sapana's space.

Like what you see ... Hop over to Sapana's to read more about this easy yummy pasta here.

Guest post - Cilantro pesto sauce Pasta

I was really thrilled to see Sapana's request to do a guest post.I have known Sapana through the blogging world for some time now.I just love to see and drool over some of her yummy creations.I am excited to do my 2nd guest post at Sapana's space.

Like what you see ... Hop over to Sapana's to read more about this easy yummy pasta here.

Cheesy Pasta Pops

Have you any leftover cooked pasta?Then this what you should try :)
If you are looking for a quick party pleaser look no further!Pasta is my all time favourite lunch or breakfast item but I never thought it would become my 4 o'clock snack ideal too!

I have to go pick my LM at 3 and so i feel hungry at 330pm these days so i end up having an early tea and some snacks.I feel guilty having biscuits and stuff so I have decided to have something healthy for a snack.This is fried now but its a rainy day so i guess thats an excuse to have a fried snack!

 

 This is no hi fi recipe but it definitely tastes super good.Kids will absolutely love this.

Preparation time : 15 minutes

You need

Cooked pasta 1 cup any shape(I used elbows)
Bread slices 2
Cheese 1 tablespoon
Chilli powder 1/2 tsp

Oil to deep fry

• Add pasta to boiling water and cook it with some salt and oil so it doesn't stick to each other or like i do add it to a pressure cooker and cook it for 2 whistles(that's not the traditional way to cook it i know)
• Cook pasta and drain the water and keep aside.
• Mix chilli powder, cheese into the cooked pasta.Mix well.
•  Dip bread slices in some cold water and squeeze the water out.Mix this into the pasta cheese mix.
• Make balls of this mixture.
• Heat oil in a kadhai/wok and fry until golden brown.Drain onto kitchen towels.
• Serve hot drizzled with tomato ketchup :)  

Delicious quick pasta pops to go with your coffee on a rainy day!

Notes:

1. Pasta needs to be completely drained and dry once cooked.
2. Stale bread will work fine.
3. I used cream cheese but any should work fine.
4. Bread and cheese are the binding agents here.

Sending to my Its Birthday Party Time , What's with my cuppa and Nupur\s Space, Motions and Emotions Event , Diwali Bash 2013

Cheesy Pasta Pops

Have you any leftover cooked pasta?Then this what you should try :)
If you are looking for a quick party pleaser look no further!Pasta is my all time favourite lunch or breakfast item but I never thought it would become my 4 o'clock snack ideal too!

Spaghetti with roasted brinjals

I love pasta for many reasons  - thats its easy to put up and its a refreshing change from our regular indian food.Whenever I'm alone at home or theres nothing for lunch I quickly make some pasta for myself and LM who also loves pastas.Roasted vegetables really spice up any pastas you must try it to know.

Any kind of pasta can be used in this dish but i used spaghetti because it cooks really faster than all other kinds i feel.

This is the first time i added just plain roasted vegetable and i loved it.

Preparation time - 20 mins
Serves - 1

You need

Spaghetti - enough for one person
Tomato chopped into tiny cubes
Garlic pods 3 chopped finely
Brinjal 1 small chopped in circles
Olive oil 1 tablespoon
Pepper powder 1/2 tsp
Vinegar 1 tsp
Chilli flakes 1/4 tsp
Salt to taste

- Add spaghetti to boiling water by adding a tsp of oil and salt.Cook spaghetti until soft and done.Drain immediately and run some cold water this will prevent the spaghetti to stick together.
- Heat olive oil in a pan, add the garlic pieces next add the tomatoes and sauté until soft.
- Add the vinegar to this and pepper powder.
- Add the spaghetti and mix well.
- Heat 2 tsp of oil and sauté the brinjal rings until fried on both sides.
- Add these brinjal rings to the spaghetti and sprinkle some more pepper if needed.

Spicy tangy spaghetti is ready for lunch :)

Sending this to Know your cooking fats - cooking oil series @ JCO , Monsoon Temptations, Kids delight

 

Spaghetti with roasted brinjals

I love pasta for many reasons  - thats its easy to put up and its a refreshing change from our regular indian food.Whenever I'm alone at home or theres nothing for lunch I quickly make some pasta for myself and LM who also loves pastas.Roasted vegetables really spice up any pastas you must try it to know.

Pasta with cheese and lime chicken

, 

Its been  while since we had pasta, so i made it for breakfast this weekend.Since i had some chicken in hand so this is what i whipped up and it was a wonderful breakfast a break refreshing break from our everyday southindian fares or breads.

 

 I usually make plain pasta for my lil one and she doesn;t like any spices except in her chicken.So since the pasta had chicken it was a great weekend treat for her and us all alike.My laptop charging wire is broken and so i had to sit on this desktop of ours and compose this and its taking forever!finally i'm glad atleast i can post something after a week.We all know how addictive blogging can be ;)

 

 You need

Pasta any shape cooked 1 large cup

To make the sauce

Onion puree 1 large onion

Tomato puree 2 medium tomatoes

Garlic pods minced 4 5

Capsicum  half a medium sized one chopped finely

Carrot 1 medium chopped finely

Garam masala 1 tsp

Pepper powder 1/2 tsp

Tomato sauce 1 tsp

Oil/Butter 2 tsp +2 tsp

Salt to taste

Cheese cubes 1

To prepare the chicken

Boneless chicken pieces chopped in to small pieces half a cup

Salt to taste

Red chilli powder 1/2 tsp

Lime juice of half a medium lime

Oil 1 tsp

Heat oil in a pan, add the chicken and fry until done.Keep aside.

• In a pan heat 2 tsp oil, add the chopped vegetables and saute them well.Keep aside.
• Heat oil in same pan, add oil, add the chopped garlic and saute well.
• Now add the onion puree and fry well until the oil leaves the sides.
• Add the tomato puree and tomato sauce and cook well until both are well combined.
• Add the garam masala and pepper powder.
• Add the cooked pasta and mix well.Check for salt.
• Add water if you want it a little loose.
• Mix in the sauteed vegetables and lime chicken.
• Add chopped cheese cubes.

http://foodssrilanka.blogspot.sg/2013/03/cook-like-celebrity-chef-5.html

Sending this to Bon Vivant:Kids Delight, One pot meal

Pasta with cheese and lime chicken

, 

Its been  while since we had pasta, so i made it for breakfast this weekend.Since i had some chicken in hand so this is what i whipped up and it was a wonderful breakfast a break refreshing break from our everyday southindian fares or breads.

 

Summery cool Pasta salad

Its Blog Hop time again!I was worried i'll miss it because I just don't want to enter the kitchen in the heat.And the power cuts aren't even helping.I was more interested in posting something for BHW because of my very talented parter Santosh Bangar from Santosh's Kitchen. She has a lovely space with a wonderful variety of recipes.

I haven't done the recipe exactly like the original one.I didn't have any italian dressing in hand.So I tried something similar to this recipe.The salad dressing was super tangy and cool.My LM who's fond of pasta just downed plain pasta and dressing while i enjoyed it with the veggies and cheese.yum yum!!

To make this salad you need

Pasta any shape 1 cup cooked and drained
Cucumber,carrot,green capsicum,onions all cubed as required
Cheese any of your choice as per your liking (i used cream cheese chopped)

For the dressing
Olive oil 2 tablespoons
Vinegar 2 tablespoons
Lime juice of half a lime
Rock salt a small pinch
Chilli flakes as required
Pepper powder 1 tsp
Mint leaves 2 sprigs cut finely
Garlic pods 1 pounded

•  Pound the garlic and rock salt with the chopped mint leaves and mix it all with the rest of the ingredients to make the salad dressing.The original recipe for italian dressing asks for parsley i can't spot parsley in any of the regular shops i goto.
• Mix the pasta,vegetables and toss it in a mixing with the salad dressing mix well.
• Just before you serve grate or chop pieces of cheese and add to the salad :) 

• Enjoy this cool salad on a hot summer's day :)

Sending this to BHW@Tickling Palates , Breakfast ideas:Bon Vivant Moments@Sumee's Culinary Bites, Lunchbox ideas@Cuisine delights

Summery cool Pasta salad

Its Blog Hop time again!I was worried i'll miss it because I just don't want to enter the kitchen in the heat.And the power cuts aren't even helping.I was more interested in posting something for BHW because of my very talented parter Santosh Bangar from Santosh's Kitchen. She has a lovely space with a wonderful variety of recipes.

Pasta in garlic and tomato sauce

I make pasta for lunch when i have nothing else in mind!Its just so easy and simple to make and tasty!You can make it as healthy(with vegetables) as you can or sinful(with the cheese and butter).i just made it simple as my LM doesn't like any foreign objects in her mouth but the pasta!

As much as i would have liked to spruce it up with some stir fried vegetables, i had to get some lunch into the lil one's tumtum!I had to pick out the tiny pieces of tomato and mint(yes..fussy eater :( )

Preparation Time:  30 mins
Feeds 2 (1 big and 1 small)

You need

Pasta 1 and half cup (any shape)
Tomatoes 1chopped finely
Mint leaves few chopped
Garlic 2 grated
Salt to taste
Pepper 1/4tsp
Olive oil 2 tablespoons

• Cook the pasta and retain some(half a cup) of the water you boiled the pasta in.
• In a pan,heat the olive oil, add the tomatoes and let it cook well.
• Next add the garlic and mint leaves.
• Add the pasta to this and cook until the sauces coat the pasta.
• Add salt to taste.And garnish (if u want) with cheese and mint leaves.

• Serve hot :) 

Sending this to 100-day global fest@Sizzling tastebuds.

Pasta in garlic and tomato sauce

I make pasta for lunch when i have nothing else in mind!Its just so easy and simple to make and tasty!You can make it as healthy(with vegetables) as you can or sinful(with the cheese and butter).i just made it simple as my LM doesn't like any foreign objects in her mouth but the pasta!

Chickpea Pasta Salad

I tried this Mediterranean Salad from a Health magazine some time back.I loved it.Salads still do not go well as the meal at my place..it just has to be a salad!

I had saved some cooked pasta.I was wondering what to do with it now....cold pasta.I didn't want to make a sauce for just that much of pasta.I came across this really nice crispy chickpea munchies recipe in the Good Housekeeping magazine.I was lazy to turn the oven on and roast the chickpeas.So I decided to let my imagination run wild.And I had this rather cool pasta salad!

You need
Chick peas (cooked and drained) 1 cup
Cooked pasta (any shape) 1 cup
Oil 1 tspn
Chilli powder 1/4tsp
Salt to taste
Cilantro 2 tablespoons finely chopped
Cube these : Tomato, Cucumber as much as you like (i used an inch size piece of cucumber and half a tomato)

- To prepare the chickpeas : In a sauce pan, add oil and throw the chickpeas and let it roast on a medium flame and then add the chilli powder and salt.Let the spices nicely coat the chickpeas about 5-7 minutes.Then let it cool.

For the dressing :

•  In a small bowl/bottle, add 1 tsp each of lime juice,vinegar,olive oil.
•  Then add salt to taste and chopped cilantro.
•  Mix well(if in a bottle put the lid on and shake away).

To make the salad : mix the chickpeas,the cooked pasta and the chopped vegetables.Add the dressing and mix well in a salad bowl.
Serve cold :)
 
Sending this recipe to Life is green, CWS started by Priya and hosted Saffron Streaks

Chickpea Pasta Salad

I tried this Mediterranean Salad from a Health magazine some time back.I loved it.Salads still do not go well as the meal at my place..it just has to be a salad!

I had saved some cooked pasta.I was wondering what to do with it now....cold pasta.I didn't want to make a sauce for just that much of pasta.I came across this really nice crispy chickpea munchies recipe in the Good Housekeeping magazine.I was lazy to turn the oven on and roast the chickpeas.So I decided to let my imagination run wild.And I had this rather cool pasta salad!

You need
Chick peas (cooked and drained) 1 cup
Cooked pasta (any shape) 1 cup
Oil 1 tspn
Chilli powder 1/4tsp
Salt to taste
Cilantro 2 tablespoons finely chopped
Cube these : Tomato, Cucumber as much as you like (i used an inch size piece of cucumber and half a tomato)

- To prepare the chickpeas : In a sauce pan, add oil and throw the chickpeas and let it roast on a medium flame and then add the chilli powder and salt.Let the spices nicely coat the chickpeas about 5-7 minutes.Then let it cool.

For the dressing :

•  In a small bowl/bottle, add 1 tsp each of lime juice,vinegar,olive oil.
•  Then add salt to taste and chopped cilantro.
•  Mix well(if in a bottle put the lid on and shake away).

To make the salad : mix the chickpeas,the cooked pasta and the chopped vegetables.Add the dressing and mix well in a salad bowl.
Serve cold :)
 
Sending this recipe to Life is green, CWS started by Priya and hosted Saffron Streaks

Capsicum Chicken Pasta

You need:
Pasta - 2.5 cups
Chicken boneless pieces chopped into small pieces about a cup
oil/Butter - 2 tbsp
Bay leaf - 1
Capsicum - 1small diced
Tomato - 2 medium chopped finely
Onion - 2 medium chopped finely
Garlic pods - 7-8 finely chopped
Coriander leaves - 1 cupful
Garam masala - 1tbsp
Coriander powder - 1tbsp
Pepper corns - crushed coursely 1 tsp
Tomato sauce , Soya sauce - 2 tbsp each
Cheese- any will do.- about 2 cubes.
Salt as reqd


Procedure :

• Put pasta in cooker, water level to submerge the pasta.Add salt half a tspn and also 1 tspn oil.(this keeps the pasta from getting all sticky), about 4-5 whistles will be needed to soften the pasta.
• In a nonstick vessel, add 2 tbsp oil and to this add chopped garlic, then add bayleaf once the garlic turns brown.
• Now add onions chopped,tomatoes chopped and pieces of chicken.Cover this and cook until chicken turns soft.
• Add soya and tomato sauces, masala powders, salt, pepper.Stir well to mix the masalas well.
• Add some water and cover to cook.
• Add the cooked pasta, cheese, capsicum. Cook till capsicum cooks.
• garnish with coriander leaves.

Capsicum Chicken Pasta

You need:
Pasta - 2.5 cups
Chicken boneless pieces chopped into small pieces about a cup
oil/Butter - 2 tbsp
Bay leaf - 1
Capsicum - 1small diced
Tomato - 2 medium chopped finely
Onion - 2 medium chopped finely
Garlic pods - 7-8 finely chopped
Coriander leaves - 1 cupful
Garam masala - 1tbsp
Coriander powder - 1tbsp
Pepper corns - crushed coursely 1 tsp
Tomato sauce , Soya sauce - 2 tbsp each
Cheese- any will do.- about 2 cubes.
Salt as reqd


Procedure :

• Put pasta in cooker, water level to submerge the pasta.Add salt half a tspn and also 1 tspn oil.(this keeps the pasta from getting all sticky), about 4-5 whistles will be needed to soften the pasta.
• In a nonstick vessel, add 2 tbsp oil and to this add chopped garlic, then add bayleaf once the garlic turns brown.
• Now add onions chopped,tomatoes chopped and pieces of chicken.Cover this and cook until chicken turns soft.
• Add soya and tomato sauces, masala powders, salt, pepper.Stir well to mix the masalas well.
• Add some water and cover to cook.
• Add the cooked pasta, cheese, capsicum. Cook till capsicum cooks.
• garnish with coriander leaves.