MEDITERRANEAN VEG PASTA

Today, I am here with a healthy pasta dish, which is very perfect for weekdays meal. Pasta cooked with healthy vegetables, herbs, tomato based gravy and olive oil, which is a staple in the mediterranean diet. I added onion, green bell pepper, aubergine and zucchini and it came out really light, refreshing and delicious, a perfect dinner for two!

INGREDIENTS (for making 2 persons):

130 gm Penne Pasta
1 Large Onion (roughly chopped)
1 Green Bell Pepper (cubed)
1 Zucchini (roughly chopped)
1 Cup Aubergines / Eggplant (cubed)
2&1/2 Tomatoes (pureed)
1 tbsp Mixed Herbs
70 ml Olive Oil
1/2 tsp Garlic Pepper Powder
Salt to taste

METHOD:

Put the pan on high heat, add 2 tbsp olive oil. Fry the onions and green bell pepper. Fry together for 3-4 minutes, reserve these to a large bowl.

Heat 2 tbsp olive oil on high flame and add zucchini and fry until become a nice golden colour, which will take approximately 4 minutes. Then reserve it in the same bowl with onion and pepper.

Place a bit more oil in the frying pan, add the aubergines and again fry for 4 minutes. Now reserve aubergine also with the other ingredients. Turn off the heat now.

Place a sauce pan with half full of water on high heat. Cover and bring it to boil. Add penne, little salt and 2 tsp olive oil. So that penne will not stick to each other. Cook for 12 minutes. Place your colander in sink and drain penne well.

Return the frying pan to low heat and all all previously fried ingredients from the bowl.
Add tomato puree, mixed herbs. Simmer and cook about 15-20 minutes.

Add stained penne to frying pan and mix with other ingredients very well. Season with salt and garlic pepper, fold again.

Switch off the heat at this time. Keep penne aside for 3 minutes.

Your mediterranean pasta is now ready to serve. Spoon the pasta into a serving bowl and add a lightly drizzle of olive oil. Serve & Enjoy!!!

LEMONY BUTTERY FISH

This is a classic fish recipe, which is pretty simple but tastes delectable. While making butter sauce, take care of not to burn the butter. It looks golden still tastes nutty. Fish cooked with lemon & butter is yummy and flavorful, very easy to cook.

INGREDIENTS:
1lb 4OZ  Salmon Fillet (may take Tilapia, Bhetki, John Dory or any white fish fillet)
1 parboiled Potato
1 medium Onion
2 tbsps crushed and minced Garlic
2 tsps Ginger juice
1 tsp Black Pepper powder
1&1/2 tsp Paprika flakes/powder
3 tbsps fresh Lemon juice
3 tsps all purpose flour
4 tbsps Olive oil
2 tbsps finely chopped Parsley
150ml warm water
1 tbsp Butter
Salt to taste

METHOD:
Cut fish fillet in cubes, marinate with 1 tbsp minced garlic, ginger juice, 1/2 tsp black pepper powder, 1/2 tsp paprika, 1 tbsp lemon juice, little olive oil and salt. Keep refrigerated for 30 mins to 1 hour.

In the mean time, cut potatoes and onions into thick slices. Set aside.

Dry roast flour for 2-3 minutes, keep stirring, don't burn it. Remove from heat and keep aside. Let it cool.

Heat 3 tbsps olive oil in a non-stick pan. Add fish pieces in it, keep the juice of marination aside. Fry fish pieces till those turn into light brown from both sides. Remove fish pieces from the heat.

Now mix potatoes and onions well with the remaining juice of marination. Add potatoes and onions in hot oil, fry for 3 minutes on high heat, so that potatoes and onions get crisp and flavored with the spices too. Remove potatoes and onions from the pan, leave aside.

Now, heat remaining 1 tbsps olive oil in same pan. Add flour, 1/2 tsp black pepper powder, 1 tsp paprika in it.  Fold well. Add 150ml warm water in it. Stir continuously for 2 minutes, so that no lumps formed within gravy. Put fried fish pieces, parsley, 1 tbsp minced garlic, 2 tbsps lemon juice and butter in it. Add salt to taste. Cook for another 2 minutes on low heat. Dont heat for prolonged time. Once everything mix nicely and gravy is thicken, remove it from heat.

Pour gravy along with fish pieces on the center of a palate and arrange fried potatoes and onions surrounded to it. Serve immediately.

Serve hot with pasta/spaghetti or simply with rice as a side dish.
Sending to:  Chandrani's Holiday Recipes

PARMESAN CHICKEN

This heavenly & mouthwatering Italian chicken dish is so simple and easy to cook. I used to make this appetizing Parmesan Chicken was so delectable, we would fight for drippings, every last crumb. This chicken would cook in much faster way, buttery and crispy coated meat is really a fabulous one.

INGREDIENTS:
20 OZ / 600 gm Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs
2 pods of Garlic (minced)
2 tbsps finely chopped fresh Parsley
4 OZ or 1/2 cup melted Unsalted Butter
1/2 tsp Salt
1 cup dried Italian Bread Crumbs
1/2 tsp Garlic Pepper
3/4 cup grated Parmesan Cheese
1/2 tsp freshly grounded Black Pepper
1/4 tsp Italian Seasoning (herb mix)

METHOD:
Cut chicken in 2" X 1" pieces. Wash nicely. Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towel.

Combine unsalted butter with minced garlic in a bowl. In a seperate bowl, mix Italian bread crumbs, fresh parsley, garlic pepper, grounded black pepper, Italian seasoning, parmesan cheese and salt together.

Dip chicken pieces in garlic butter.

Then coat with bread crumbs-parmesan cheese mixture.

Now place chicken piece in 9" X 9" greased baking tray.

Keep little room in between the two pieces of chicken. Follow the same process for all chicken pieces. Sprinkle remaining garlic butter on the top.

Preheat oven to 450 F. Bake uncovered for 15 minutes. Switch off the oven. Keep as it is for another 5 minutes.

After baking chicken will look golden brown colour and crispy.

Serve hot with 'hot and sweet' tomato ketchup.
Linking to:  Chandrani's Holiday Recipes

SPAGHETTI BOLOGNESE

This is a classic Italian recipe that get most twisted around. 'Bolognese sauce' is a meat-based sauce, used for pasta, spaghetti, lasagne or ragu, originating from Bologna, Italy. The all-time favourite recipe, loved by all. This is not true bolognese sauce, you may say a variation which widely used in northern part of Italy. It is actually rich meat with spicy tomato sauce. If any leftover will be there, that will taste even better on next day.

INGREDIENTS:
4 OZ / 100 gm Spaghetti
1/2 lb Boneless Skinless Chicken Thigh
2 tbsps Tomato Puree
1 tbsp Ginger paste
4 cloves of Garlic paste
1/2 medium Red Onion paste
1/2 medium Red Onion (chopped)
2 tbsps grated/shredded Parmesan Cheese
1 tbsp Dried Italian Herb Mix
1/4 tsp Black Pepper powder
1/3 tsp Paprika
2 tbsps finely chopped Parsley Leaves
2 tbsps + 2 tsps Olive Oil
1 tsp Butter
1 tsp Honey
salt to taste

METHOD:
Wash and cut chicken thigh in thin slices.

Boil chicken with 1/2 cup water for 10 minutes. Sieve water. Set aside.

Break each spaghetti in three pieces.

In a sauce pan, bring 1 cup water and 1/2 cup chicken stock to a boil. Add 2 tsps olive oil and little salt in it, then spagetti. Keep it boiling for 10 minutes till it gets tender. Drain and rinse the spaghetti under cold water. Put it in colander. Now heat butter in the same saucepan. Toss the spaghetti in it. Continuously keep turning for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside. Arrange spaghetti on a plate according to its circumference and make a round whole/gap  in the centre.

Heat remaining olive oil in a frying pan. Add chopped onions in it. When onions get translucent, add onion paste, ginger paste and garlic paste. Fry for 3-4 minutes.

Add tomato puree in it. Saute for another 2 minutes and add cooked chicken in it. Add paprika, black pepper powder, 3/4 tbsp Italian herb mix, chopped parsley leaves, honey and salt. Fold well. Fry for 3 minutes.

Now add 1/3 cup warm water in it. Keep on low heat for another 2-3 minutes. Add parmesan cheese. Fold nicely for another 2 minutes. Cheese mix up with bolognese sauce nicely. Remove from heat. Pour in the middle of spaghetti plate. Sprinkle remaining Italian herb mix with little salt on the spagetti layer.

Serve immediately.

TIPS: For a nice mix up, adding cheese with bolognese sauce is better. But you may
          sprinkle it at the top of bolognese also.
          May cook pasta, lasagne or ragu in the same way.
 
Linking to:  Chandrani's Holiday Recipes



BEET CARROT SALAD

This salad I have prepared and relished on the weekly basis. I saw this recipe on Khana Khazana, by Sanjeev Kapoor. Actually it is an Italian salad with yummy dressing. Very simple and can be prepared in 10 minutes.  Healthy delicious and very light as a side to chicken, mutton or turkey. So, here is the recipe of tasty toothsome cumin flavoured simple salad by beet and carrot.

INGREDIENTS:
1 Beet root (peeled and parboiled/baked)
1 Carrot (peeled and parboiled/baked)
2 tbsps Olive Oil
1/2 tsp Cumin seeds
1 tsp Sesame seeds
1/3 tsp Grated Ginger
1/3 tsp Sea Salt
1 tbsp Fresh Lemon Juice
Few Slices of Cucumber (for garnishing)

METHOD:

Dry roast sesame seeds.

When it turns to change colour, remove from heat and set aside.

Dry roast cumin seeds for 2-3 minutes. Set aside.

In a mortar, place the grated ginger, roasted cumin seeds and sea salt. Pound it coarsely. Now add olive oil and lemon juice in it. Mix nicely. Now salad dressing is ready.

In a bowl, place chopped carrot and half of the dressing in it. Mix well.

Add the beet root slices in it and the remaining dressing. Mix thoroughly.

To serve, Place carrot beet mixture on the middle of the plate or tray.

Decorate with cucumber slices and sprinkle roasted sesame seeds on the top and serve chill. Enjoy this yummy and healthy salad.

Sending to:  Chandrani's Holiday Recipes

LEMON GARLIC SHRIMP WITH VEGETABLE

This is a very easy, quick and extremely delectable shrimp recipe, seasoned with garlic lemon butter. It is originated from Italian cuisine, but now-a-days familiar with maximum food lovers. A very healthy twist with vegetables (bell pepper & asparagus) and shrimp, is a refreshing spring meal. When shrimp cooked in the heavenly buttery and delightful juices, will surely snach your tastebuds luscious and it will be a pleasure to all too.

INGREDIENTS:
1 lb Asparagus
1 Green Bell Pepper
1 medium Onion
1/2 tsp freshly gratedLemon Zest
1/2 Tomato (chopped)
5 cloves minced Garlic
35 medium sized Shrimp (peeled & deveined)
1/2 cup Milk
1/2 cup Vegetable/chicken broth
1 tsp Cornstarch
1 tbsp Lemon Juice
1/2 tsp Garlic pepper (coarsely pounded)
1/2 tsp Black pepper powder
1 tbsp finely chopped Parsley
3 tbsps Olive Oil
1 tbsp Butter
Salt to taste

METHOD:

Trim asparagus and cut in 1" lenghs. Cut onion and bell pepper in cubes.

Heat 2 tbsps olive oil in a non stick pan. Add onion, bell pepper and asparagus in it. Saute for 3-4 minutes.

Add lemon zest and 1/2 tsp salt in it.

Add tomato in it. Cover and cook for another 4-5 minutes.

Sprinkle little garlic pepper and black pepper powder on it. Fold nicely. Transfer the cooked vegetables on a serving tray. Keep it warm.

Add another 1 tbsp olive oil and butter in the same pan.

Add minced garlic in it. Saute for 40 seconds, till it gives a nice aroma. Add shrimp, remaining garlic pepper , black pepper powder and little salt in it. Fry for another 3-4 minutes, till shrimp turns pinkish in colour.

Combine milk, vegetable/chicken broth and cornstarch in a bowl. Stir nicely, so that cornstarch dissolves in it. Now pour in on the shrimp. Keep stirring till the gravy gets medium thick and shrimp gets cooked. Remove from heat. Add lemon juice and parsley in it. Fold nicely.

Serve shrimp and sauce over the cooked vegetables. Enjoy this delicious dish with pasta or quinoa or French bread.

Sending to:  Cook with Comfort ~Blog Anniversary Event, Holiday Recipes ~ 3rd Blog Anniversary Event