Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Keeping it simple: Pasta!

I'm N posting this recipe and it does come as a surprise for people who know me and my likes and dislikes regarding food. I do like Pasta but am not in love with it like A is. He can live on pasta and is known to eat one whole pound of pasta in a single day. I was introduced to 'proper, authentic' pasta only after I moved to the US. A made pasta for over 3 months once or twice a week. With Marinara sauce. And Alfredo sauce. I was okay with it. I needed the sauce to eat the pasta. However, no longer do I need wet pastas to whet my Pasta love! Now, I love it dry, loaded with veggies and less cheese. So, when Soma of Ecurry asked for pasta recipes, I was unsure. You see, I NEVER make pasta. Every time we've had pasta, A's made it and I've eaten it. However, this time around, I decided to give it a try. This one goes out to Hay Hay Donna Day, an event hosted by Soma this time around and preceded by Bron Marshall.



I usually skip lunch or eat a fruit when I'm alone and bored to cook for one. However, yesterday, I got enthusiastic about the rotting green bell peppers in the fridge and decided to make this Pasta. I love bell peppers -all colours and types. The recipe is simple and not fussy at all. I had my lunch ready in 10 mins and I loved it.

Ingredients

1 large bell pepper, chopped lengthwise
1/4 cup onion, chopped lengthwise
A pod of garlic, finely chopped
1 cup Pasta
Water to boil the Pasta
Salt
Pepper and Paprika
1 tbsp Olive oil
1 tsp butter
1 tsp oregano
Some Parmesan cheese for garnishing

1. Cook the pasta per instructions on the box. I used Penne coz I love Penne pasta. I'm not a huge fan of Rotini. I like the smooth texture and the almost invisible ridges of Penne. Cook it and add olive oil after draining to prevent the pasta from sticking together in the colander.

2. Throw in the butter on a hot skillet, add the onions and garlic and let it cook for 2 mins. Add the bell peppers, close the skillet and let it cook for a good 3-4 mins.

3. Add salt, oregano and pepper. I also added some Paprika. Stir this mixture well to avoid burning.

4. Add the cooked and drained pasta and add 1/2 tbsp of olive oil (optional). Mix well. Let it cook for 2 mins. I like my pasta 'almost' roasted.

5. Serve garnished with some Parmesan cheese sprinkled over it!

See? Wasn't it simple! This was a weekday lunch and I got back to my studies in 10 mins after I entered the kitchen to make lunch. And it was scrumptious. This is from a girl who is not too fond of pasta. I added more bell peppers because like I said I love my bell peppers and the crunch it adds to the dish!


Soma, take it away. Its all yours! :)

45 comments:

FH said...

Very easy and Pasta dishes are always filling, delicious too. Looks great! :)

Arundathi said...

That's totally my kind of pasta - sauce-less! It looks delicious!

Paru ... said...

Nothing else comes close to a wholesome meal of Pasta with cheese..Looks simply delicious :)

Sharmi said...

I am very bad at making pastas and nobody loves experiments in my house:( I truly need some good recipes like this!!
btw I really did not understand your comment in my blog sweetie!!

confounded-lady said...

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm :) That looks yumm!

You know what my mom used to do in India? It was pretty much what you've done here but she used to add crushed/grated/sprinkles of paneer! Well, not too much lest the Italian falvour disappears, but just so much so that it looked and tasted hmmm :D

Nice though :)

Anonymous said...

Lovely REcipe A&N! I love mine light too, like a lunch salad. Liked your use of paprika here.Thanks for the entry:-)

Ingrid_3Bs said...

Looks yummy. While I like pasta I'm nothing like your A who loves it. I don't care for the red sauce unless I have a side of ricotta.

I wanted to say thanks for visiting my blog and commenting. You also asked me if I use my light box to take the photos of the M&M brownies....nope, I didn't have it then, I used my lowell ego light. Both it and the light box are hit or miss for me, I have lots to learn and no real interest. So my photos are only going to be just so-so. :-(
~ingrid

Cham said...

Whenever I am alone I do the same, grab whatever and eat and NO cooking! My son is a great pasta fan but He loves tomat sauce and cheese. Ur version should fit for me :) Good entry!

Valarmathi Sanjeev said...

Simple and delicious recipe ;)

Jaishree Iyer said...

Pasta Looks yum..I have something for u in my blog. Pls accept& trail back to my blog.

Lavanya said...

very easy to make with less ingredients..pasta looks yummy!!

Trupti said...

pasta looks very yummy ..very healthy & simple to make.

Check my blog for treat

Deepa Hari said...

Simple yet delicious...good one.

Anonymous said...

yummy recipe :)
I too like my pasta without sauce and I love bell peppers :)
ready in 10 minutes - means I am definitely making this!

NKP said...

I love pasta! I think it is pasta day on the net today.
Looks yummy! Simple is always best.

bee said...

pasta with just butter and black pepper. that's what i make and eat. i must admit, i too don't make pasta often. i only like it at authentic italian restaurants.

Lisa said...

I LOVE making pasta as not only does homemade pasta soak up saucs better than store bought, but the love put into it makes anything you pair it with SO much tastier! Your preparation looks incredible and I can;t wait to give it a try!

That said, yes, I was referring to Bobby Flay's Throwdown. Naturally, he lost to the Levain Bakery gals..lol

Varsha Vipins said...

Just bought a pack of Fusili yday..am like u too..nevva liked Pasta much..the dish looks yum yum..:)

amna said...

The first pic is SO GOOD!! :D way to go!

Pasta.. hmm.. I use whole wheat pasta and Prego sauce from the bottle. Make it like once a month so don't feel too guilty :D

Daily Meals said...

Pasta looks simple and yummy...nice pictures...

suvi said...

nice n easy one N...I always have pasta when I have to cook for myself!

crumpledpapers said...

I love pasta. And I make it all the time. I like the way it is so simple. I'll post a recipe. Try it if you like. I can't wait to get my own place and freedom to try all these things!

veggie belly said...

I love bell peppers too! This looks like quick and yummy lunch!

Anonymous said...

there's nothing pasta can't do! I think I might make me a bowl today.

Priya Sriram said...

I am truly impressed the way you try different cuisines. 'coz I'm not as patient and interested in trying out new ones... lazy me!! Great pasta A&N!

Lavanya Raj said...

Pasta looks great! Its a simple recipe too..

Sia said...

surprise, surprise! i am not a huge fan of pasta and when i have it i need good helping of sauce :) but other day my italian friend made this simple dry pasta with roasted vegetables and i am a convert now;) ur's looks delish!

lubnakarim06 said...

Wow wow looks droolworthy....

delhibelle said...

I am not a big fan of pasta too, mainly because the sauces are too fussy and fatty. I like your approach, will try this recipe

Unknown said...

Simple and delicious :)

Donna-FFW said...

This is so calling my name, actually it is screaming my name. It looks wonderful!

Elyse said...

I'm not a big pasta fan either. I can totally take it or leave it. There's other foods I'd rather eat. But, if you're telling me that this pasta dish is worth making, then I totally trust you. After all, your as skeptical of pasta as I am. The dish certainly looks delicious, and like you, I'm a huge fan of bell peppers!! Great creation!! Love your blog!

A_and_N said...

@Elyse, Delhi Belle: Thanks :) Do try it. Its really simple and will fulfill your carb cravings in an instant ;)

@Donna: Take it, take it!

@Ramya, Kitchen Flavors: thanks!

@Sia: Yay, I am not a pasta person too! But this one is good for a quick meal :)

@Lavi: Thank you so much

@Priya Sriram: If you like to eat, you should cook :D that is what my mom told me!

@Celine, Veggiebelly: This was totally yummy!

@Crumpledpapers: We love oregano :) Do try and let me know.

@ Aquadaze: So simple no?

@Daily Meals, Varsha: Thanks!

@Nags: Teng yoooooo!

@Bee: I know what you mean. Pasta is not a favorite yet, though!

@Natashya, Lisa: This one goes out to you girls, then!

@Indhu, Deepa: Danke!

@Trupti: Thanks so much for that, Trupti! Appreciate it!

@Lavanya, Valarmathi, Cham: Thank you.

@Ingrid: That is so inspiring! We are working towards getting better lights!

@Soma: Thank YOU!

@Mayth: :)

@Sharmi: Commented on your blog to clarify :)

@Paru: Hehe, then you're the pasta queen ;)

@Arundhati, Asha: Thanks :)

AnuSriram said...

Thats indeed an easy recipe.. Its always a comforting food. with a bowl of soup, makes a satisfying meal!

Cynthia said...

I was just looking at your previous post - you have been on a Caribbean cooking spree!

Anonymous said...

Sometimes that's the best way to make pasta, just keep it light.

Your dish looks delish!!

Beyond Curries said...

We also love this kind of pasta. Loaded with veggies and very less or no cheese at all. Nowadays we even have developed taste for whole wheat pasta.

Sujatha said...

wasn't a pasta fan for a looong time, but now it has become one of my comfort foods.. thats because of my daughter who just loves it and I end up making a couple of times every week.. :) This looks absolutely delicious!

Sanghi said...

Lovely recipies and clicks..! U have a Great blog! :)

Laavanya said...

I always treasure those times when I have to cook lunch for just me.. because that is my opportunity to make all my favorite items which i don't normally get to make because my husband isn't a fan :)

That's what i love about pasta - quick & satisfying.. looks so good!

Usha said...

Simple and delicious, perfect !

Anonymous said...

Sometimes simplest is best- It certainly looks good, that's for sure. :)

Deepthi Shankar said...

that looks really good .. I love pasta too esp penne pasta .. Love whatever you've used in this ..

Dori said...

I'm with you on pasta, I've never been a big fan... I can eat it now and again, but nothing I crave... except maybe an Alfredo every once in a while... this does really look fresh and good, though... nice and light!

A_and_N said...

@meeso: Thanks, Meeso!

@Deesha: Hey, try this sometime and let me know how it turns out for you!

@Hannah: I agree :) and thanks for the good words

@Usha, Lavanya, Sanghi, Sujatha: Thank you so much, ladies!

@Madhuram: We're trying to get used to whole wheat pasta ;)

@Jennifer, Anu: Thanks a ton guys!

@Cynthia: We loved it, Cynthia! And thanks for visiting us!