Capsicum pasta in red sauce

As most of you, I'm a big fan and marathon watcher of "FOOD NETWORK". I watched this recipe and then tried it several times in my world. You might think what is my world? Its my 'kitchen'. 

It's an easy, delicious, flavorful pasta. When I made this pasta, it was a big hit. My hubby is crazy about pasta. He wants to try different flavors and kinds of pasta.

The schools are closed for the summer holiday and I'm sure your kids will love this pasta. This is a  super quick idea for dinner or lunch with a side of garlic bread and a glass of fresh juice of your choice. That would make it a complete meal. I have also posted some more pasta recipes like spinach pasta, vegetable pasta, do try those recipes as well. Stay tuned for more kids recipe ;)

                           

Ingredients 

For the red sauce 

• Tomatoes - 6 (Blanch tomatoes in hot water, peel the skin and blend to smooth paste)
• Basil leaves - 4 (roughly chopped)
• Garlic cloves - 3 (finely chopped)
• Black olives - few 
• Salt as needed 
• Sugar - 1 tsp (to subside acidity in the tomatoes)
• Pepper as needed 
• Olive oil as needed 
• Italian herbs - 1 tsp 

Method 

• Heat the pan with olive oil, add garlic. Saute in medium flame for few seconds. Add blanched tomato puree and give a quick mix. Cook in medium flame for 10 minutes.

                        

• When tomato puree boils, add salt, sugar, pepper, Italian herbs, basil leaves and black olives. Give a stir and cook for 5 minutes in medium flame.
• Now red sauce is ready. Keep it aside. 

For capsicum pasta

• Pasta - 2 cups (any shape you can use)
• Capsicum - 1 1/2 cups (all color)
• Basil leaves - few roughly chopped 
• Black olives - few 
• Pepper as needed 
• Salt as needed 
• Onion - 1/2 cup finely chopped 
• Garlic - 4 (finely chopped)
• Italian herbs as needed 
• Mozzarella cheese for garnish   

Method 

• Keep a water in pan and bring it to boil. Add salt and olive oil, then add pasta to it. Cook it in high flame for 10 minutes. Once done strain the water from pasta and keep aside. 
• Heat pan with olive oil, add and fry garlic till raw smell goes then add onion saute till transparent pink color.

                         

• Add capsicum and give a quick toss, add salt, pepper, italian herbs, black olives and basil leaves. Mix and cook in high flame for 3-5 minutes.
• Now add pasta to the tossed capsicum. Mix well.
• Add the tomato puree to the pasta and cook for 10 minutes. 
• Capsicum pasta with red sauce is ready to be served hot with garlic bread and choice of your juice.  Garnish with cheese when hot and serve.

                         

                    

Tips

• If you want pasta to be cooked faster, you have a trick - soak pasta in water for few hours before cooking.
• Don't over cook the capsicum. It should be crunchy.
• You can avoid cheese and have as such.