easy peasy Pasta - My first blogpost

Dreaming - more importantly Visualizing and trying to Achieve has always given me a kick. 

Whether it is studying, working for a corporate, trying out a new recipe or creating a new personally satisfying business venture - it's about the satisfaction and happiness i get during the process and with the end result. 

I have begun another journey today by creating this blog and hope to contribute all my ideas, implementations and successful ventures.

As a beginner's treat here is a recipe for a quick and easy "Veg" pasta. You may add boiled "chicken" bites to turn it into a non-veggie pasta. I made this pasta for my neighbours' son's 5th Birthday Party and received a lot of appreciation.

Will keep in mind to click a "served on plate" version for any recipe posts in future.

Enjoy!!

U will need Elbow/Macaroni Pasta + Oil drops n Butter + Garlic + Onions + Veggies (atleast corn, carrot n tomato + any extras like brocolli, beans, capsicum) + Refined Flour (maida) + Milk n Water + Cheese + Salt, Pepper + Most Imp. Ingredient Oregano.

Detailed List of Ingredients for the 500gms packet of Pasta is as follows (Serves atleast 10 people sumptuously):

1. Pasta (Elbow or Macaroni) - Use a good quality pasta (Agnesi, Remo, DelMonte, Barilla are some good ones i find in the local supermarket). In this recipe "Agnesi Elbow" pasta was used.Cook the pasta as per packet instructions i.e. basically boil a big pot of water and after it starts boiling add salt and few drops of oil and then add the pasta. Keep checking the pasta so that it doesn't overcook. It needs to cook "al-dente" which means slightly undercooked. Then its time to drain and keep it aside.
2. Butter 2 Tbsps
3. Oil (a few drops so that butter doesn't burn)
4. Garlic cloves finely chopped - 6 to 8
5. Onions chopped - 2 large
6. Vegetables: When short of vegetables i use the basic carrot, corn and tomato. When aplenty then 1 cup of Boiled sweet corn ; Handful Chopped French Beans ; 1 large carrot chopped ; 1 big capsicum chopped ; Half head of Brocolli - split into eatable bits and 3 large tomatoes chopped
7. Refined Flour (Maida) 1 heaped Tbsp
8. Milk - 2 cups
9. Water - 2 cups + as required
10. Cheese - i use processed ; you can decide as per your taste - 250 gms onwards ;-) - if you like the "bechamel" sauce (pasta sauce) more cheesy then indulge
11. Oregano - we easily find the dried Oregano bottles - so i use 1 tsp to 1 1/2 tsp
12. Salt and pepper - to taste (Remember that the cheese in the sauce might be salty - so take it easy with salt and use only after tasting)

The chopped veggies:

In a pan put 1 tbsp butter, few drops of oil and once heated add half the garlic and in 3 seconds add half the onions and after frying it a bit add all the vegetables (except the soft tomatoes).

The Veggies Being Fried:

Fry veggies till they also are "al-dente" or slightly undercooked ; add the chopped tomatoes now and mix for 2 more seconds and keep all these fried veggies aside. 

Next is preparing the "delicious" bechamel sauce. To a pan add remaining butter (with few drops of oil) and after it heats add remaining garlic (fry a bit) and add remaining onions. Fry till soft and then sprinkle (spread all over the pan) 2 tbsps of refined flour (maida). Now you have to work fast in this step. 

Fry the refined flour (maida) for 2 seconds, add milk slowly so that the flour (maida) mixes into it and does not form any lumps. If you add all the milk at once, lumps might form. The milk will start thickening almost instantly so keep 2 cups of water handy. Add a cup of water, stir well and then add grated cheese. Keep mixing and adding water to keep the sauce at a not to thick but not too watery - basically "saucy" consistency. Add salt, pepper and Oregano. Stir well and now add the pre-fried vegetables to this sauce and give it a nice boil. Check the seasoning -  Need some salt ? pepper, oregano ? Or maybe some more grated cheese ???   All Okay ?

Bechamel Sauce with Veggies in it: 

Lastly, add the pasta and mix well - if need be add some water and check for salt. Its a great idea to serve it with some grated cheese and if your pantry allows then a sprig of coriander or parsley.

Cooked Pasta in the Pan - during B'day Party Service Time:  

Enjoy this yummy recipe with your kids, hubby or friends. Its a filling snack and paired with some hot soup can be a yummy dinner too.

do keep visiting receipesnmore.blogspot.com for recipes and more.....