Monday, May 19, 2008

Pasta (My Style)

I wanted to prepare pasta last week.
I have this wonderful cookbook aptly called Pasta. And wanted to try some pasta recipes. I enjoy the history of pasta. (The origin of pasta comes from noodles.) But the Italians have given the noodles a total facelift and also renamed it "PASTA". Oregano, parsely and thyme are the kinds of herbs in pasta and wide variety of cheese and wines are used in the recipes.
So there, I sat looking at all the recipes and chose two pasta preparations.
One required dry white wine and bacon while the other needed thyme.
So I did something that most self proclaimed "I can win the top chef contest" would do. combine some of this and some of that and there.... you have an original!! or is it??
At present their is an assortment of vodkas and sparkling wines at home and I did not want to buy anymore before the old ones are absolutely consumed. So no white wine, and the other recipe need some exotic cheeses. The only ones that I have at home are parmesean and medium cheddar. (And our own cottage cheese.)
So I turned innovative and need to add, that the result was very much edible and "you must make this again, please" kinds!!
Here is the recipe to my Pasta original: (serves 2 )
Ingredients
Pasta-
onion- half (medium)
chicken salami- 150 gms
tomato- one (you can use puree too!)
mixed veggies(peas, beans, carrots)- sliced in cubes
parsley- quater tsp
rosemary- quater tsp
pepper- quater tsp
dry chili pweder
dhania powder
medium cheddar- 50gms
parmesean- as much as you want
cilantro
salt to taste

Procedure:
boil water in a deep pan. put the pasta and tsp of salt in the pan for 10 min.
Cut the chicken salami into thin rectangles like matchsticks. cut the onions thin.
Heat oil in a wok and add the onion and salami. let the onion turn golden and when the salami starts turning brown add the tomatoes and stirring for 2 min add the mix vegetables. once the water evaporates and the saute veggies, add the rest of the spices. If need be keep sprinkle some water. Add the cheddar cubes and let it melt as you saute it along with the rest.
The dish to envelope the pasta is read!
Add the cooked pasta and fresh finely cut cilantro.
Parmesan can be sprinked over the pasta along with sprigs of cilantro/parsley.
Awesome pasta for a lazy afternoon is ready!!