Tossed- Up Spaghetti

When i read this recipe in GoodFood India, I couldn't resist trying it immediately... the vibrant colours and fresh flavours enticingly beckoned me and i just couldn't resist!!! So here's another recipe to liven up your summer lunch... the TOSSED -UP SPAGHETTI requires:

Ingredients: 

Spaghetti- 400 gm

Red Onion- 1, finely chopped

Lemon- 1, zest and juice

Capers- 4 tsp

Extra Virgin Olive Oil- 6 tbsp+ extra to drizzle

Red chilli- 1, finely chopped

Sugar- a pinch

Chives- handful, snipped

Cherry Tomatoes- 500 gm, quartered

Bocconcini- 250 gm, torn

Mint- 1 bunch, leaves torn.

Method: Marinate the chopped onions in the lemon juice, zest, salt and pepper. Leave aside for 10 minutes, till the onions sweat and soften. Add the capers, oil, chilli and sugar to the onion mix. Adjust seasoning. Boil the spaghetti, drain, toss with a little olive oil and cool. Mix in the onion dressing, tomatoes and half of the fresh herbs. Adjust seasoning and toss well. Chuck in the Bocconcini and toss gently through the pasta. Divide into bowls, drizzle a little olive oil and top with rest of the fresh herbs. Serve with a chilled glass of Proseco on a warm summer afternoon :)

Cold Pasta Salad

Summer's here and the body wants something cool. Gone are the winter delights topped with rich gravies and dry fruits to keep you toasty all night. Now all I want is something light and fresh. Something cool and quick! And this Cold Pasta Salad is an absolute breeze! Few quick steps and I have a satisfying meal ready to be pulled out of the refrigerator at a moment's notice!

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups cooked macaroni

1 tbsp mustard powder

1 tsp honey

1 medium apple, chopped

2 cups natural yogurt

1/2 cup cold milk

1 large capsicum, sliced thinly

1 carrot, shredded

a handful of toasted walnuts

salt and pepper to taste

Method: Whip the yogurt lightly in a bowl with the milk, mustard powder, salt and honey. Add the rest of the ingredients and toss gently. Sprinkle with some freshly crushed peppercorns and pop in the fridge till you get hungry. Add some more cold milk if the pasta gets too dry. Also feel free to add any combination of fruits and veggies that work best for you. :)

Pasta for One!

Lets be honest, everyone loves pasta...but often the effort prompts a takeout, especially if you are cooking for just one. So the other day when Ma decided she wanted pasta for dinner it prompted a long pros-cons discussion. But hey! when she wants pasta, she gets pasta!!! Rustling this pasta for one was a real breeze, just a few ingredients from the trusty cupboard and we were good to go :)

Ingredients:
a handful of uncooked Spaghetti
2 cheese-chicken sausages
4 flakes garlic
1/2 tsp mixed herbs
2 1/2 cups hot stock or boiling water
2 tsp olive oil
salt  and pepper to taste

Method: Heat oil in a pan and fry the sausages till well done. Take out the sausages and in the same oil fry the minced garlic till brown. Add the stock/water, herbs, salt and the spaghetti. Cook till pasta is done. Typically, all the liquid should be absorbed by this point. If required, add more stock/water. Sprinkle pepper and top with  sliced sausages. Just dig in and go mmmmm!!
And hey, don't forget, all cooking is open to re-invention...share yours :D