Chicken Keema Pasta

We love our pasta, specially the one with lots of chicken and capsicum with a hint of cheese. So. this one is done on a weekend, when it was me and my beloved son, and we were spending time together, with some chatting, and giggling and cooked this dish for our dinner. 

Ingredients

• Bow Tie Pasta - 1 cup
• Chicken Mince / Keema - 300 gms
• Onion - 2, chopped
• Capsicum - 1, chopped
• Tomato - 4, roughly chopped
• Garlic Paste - 1 tbsp
• Green chilli - chopped, as per taste
• Some pasta cheese 
• Mixed herbs
• Salt

Cook the pasta as per packet instruction, Drain and keep aside.
In a pan, add oil, then add the chicken keema with chopped green chilli and brown them evenly. Add in a spoonful of cumin powder with little salt and mix them well.

Cook till the keema is done. Keep aside.

In the same pan, now add some more oil and then add the garlic paste.

When the garlic is fragrant, add chopped onion and capsicum. Saute quickly.

Next goes the mixed herb. Mix well.

Add tomato puree. I have added a dash of tomato sauce too.

Next goes 1/2 cup of hot water along with the cooked keema. Mix well.

Cook till the keema and masala are mixed well and the water is almost evaporated.

Now add the cooked pasta and fold them carefully into the masala.

Once done, put it on a casserole and spread evenly. Sprinkle chopped cheese on the top.

Pop into a pre-heated oven at 180 degree C and bake for 20 minutes or till the cheese starts melting.

Serve hot.

Cauliflower Mac N Cheese

Cauliflower is in season and this is the right time to prepare our all time favorite - Cauliflower Mac n Cheese. I had some Kalimpong  cheese in my pantry, made good use of it and a lovely dinner is ready.

Ingredients

• Salt
•  Macaroni - 1 pack
• Olive oil - 1 tbsp
• Cauliflower - 1, cut into florets
• Milk - 2 cups
• Butter - 1 tbsp
• Onion - 1, finely chopped
• Garlic - 1 tbsp , finely chopped
• flour - 1 tbsp
• Black pepper, nutmeg
• Mixed herbs - 1 tsp
• 1/2 cup kimpong cheese
• Spring Onion - chopped

Cook the pasta as per the package instruction and keep aside. Steam the cauliflower florets and keep covered.
 In a pan, add the olive oil and butter. Add the chopped onion with chopped garlic and fry for 2 minutes over low heat.

Add the flour and then fry quickly. 

Add the milk and whisk well to mix the flour. There should not be any lump.

Next add the salt, black pepper, herbs, nutmeg and mix well.

When thickened, add half of the cheese and mix well. 

Add the steamed cauliflower.

After a minute, add boiled pasta. Stir well to cover with the pasta sauce.

Transfer the cooked pasta to a baking dish, top with remaining cheese.

Bake at 180 degree for 35 - 40 minutes till the cheese melts. Garnish with spring onion and serve hot.

Sausage Pasta

Made this quick sausage pasta for dinner on a week night. suddenly discovered some sausage hidden in my freezer and its shelf life would end within a week or too. So rustle up this in a jiffy. To make the sauce, I have used half pack of ready to cook soup mixture, you may create your own sauce or chicken stock to go with it.

 Ingredients

• Pasta of your choice - 200 gms
• Pork Sausage - 4
• Green peas - 1/2 cup, boiled
• Packaged Chicken soup - 1/2 pack
• Oregano - 1 fat pinch
• Red Chilli Flakes - as per taste
• Salt, to taste
• Olive oil - 1 tsp

Mince two sausages and cut the remaining two into chunks. Boil the pasta as per package instruction till al dente and keep aside. Reserve a cup of the liquid. In a pan, add a tsp of olive oil. Add the sausage mince and continue frying till it releases oil. 

When they start turning golden, add the sausage chunks and keep stirring.

Add the soup mixture along with a cup of water. Stir to combine and let it thicken a bit. Sprinkle the red chilli flakes and oregano.

Add the pasta liquid and continue stirring. Add the green peas too.

When the sauce is ready add the boiled pasta.

Mix thoroughly, so that the whole thing is heated through. Check for seasoning.

Serve immediately with a dash of tabasco, if desired.

Garlic Shrimp Spaghetti

This Spaghetti dish with Shrimp is our family favorite and makes a great dinner without any fancy cooking. I just love garlic and use lots and lots of chopped garlic in this dish. You may adjust the amount of garlic as per your preference. Another unusual ingredient used in this dish is chopped coriander leaves. I was hesitant about using it initially but was quite surprised to see the outcome.  I urge all of you to try this combination to discover a completely new flavor.

Ingredients:

• Shrimp / Prawns - Medium size, 12-14
• Spaghetti / Noodles - 2 Packs
• Milk - 2 cups
• Garlic - 1, whole, peeled and chopped
• Chopped cilantro - 1/2 cup
• Butter
• Olive oil
• Grated Cheese - 1/3 cup
• Salt, Pepper to taste
• A dash of chili flakes

Cook the spaghetti following package directions and drain. Add a spoonful of olive oil and keep aside.
Place the butter and oil in a pan over medium heat.
Add the peeled shrimp with sprinkle of salt and pepper and stir for about 5 minutes, until the shrimp turns opaque. Transfer to a dish and keep covered.

In the same skillet, heat the garlic and after 30 seconds the cilantro. Add extra olive oil to the skillet if needed. Sauté for 2 minutes or garlic is just started turning brown. Sprinkle chilli flakes.

Add the milk, salt, and chili flakes. Bring to a gentle simmer. Add the grated cheese.

Add the shrimp and mix to incorporate. Cook for 30 seconds. Adjust the seasoning.

Add the spaghetti and mix to incorporate. Cook for 2 minutes or the milk is reduced.

Transfer to a serving dish and  Enjoy!