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. 

      

Vegetable Cheese Sandwich

                               

Looking to surprise your family/spouse with a special breakfast this weekend? Check out this easy & healthy breakfast. Give your loved ones a break from cereals, pancakes and waffles. Have it with a glass of chocolate milk or fruit juice or cut fruits to make this a perfect breakfast combo. 

                                    
                                                  Don't care how late you wake up
                                             eat your breakfast......

    

Breakfast makes you energetic, it improves your focus & concentration, weight control, metabolism boost, helps in lowering the bad cholesterol and balance your hungry for rest of the day. We can keep going, so please don't skip your breakfast.

   
                     "EVERYTHING IS POSITIVE IN LIFE WHEN YOU ARE HEALTHY"

                                         

                   
                              

Ingredients

• Bread - 4-6 slices
• Butter - as needed 
• Sandwich spread - as needed (you get this in Indian grocery)
• Cheese slice - 3 (optional)
• Tomatoes (sliced) - 1
• Capsicum (juvenile cut) - 1
• Cucumber (juvenile cut) - 1
• Pepper powder - as needed 
• Salt - as needed 

Method

• Take two bread slice ( I used white bread ) . Generously spread butter on one side of each bread slice.  
• Next grease the sandwich spread on one side followed by cheese on the same side of the bread slice. 
• Now top it with all the cut veggies one by one, then sprinkle some salt & pepper powder on the veggies.
• Close the veggies filled bread with the other bread slice.
• Repeat the same steps for other slices of bread also.
• Meanwhile heat the panini maker. Once ready, place the bread slices over the grill. Then close the maker and wait till it turns green in color. 
• Once the bread is grilled completely, take it carefully and cut into triangle or square as you desire.
• Now hot and tasty sandwich is ready to be served with ketchup and chips.

                         

Tips 

• You can also use whole wheat bread to make this sandwich.
• Any vegetable of your choice can be used.
• You can also replace cheese with mayonnaise or ranch. 
• Black pepper powder can be replaced with white pepper.  

Check our other sandwich recipe also Avocado Sandwich

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Vegetable Hakka Noodles

Nowadays vegetable hakka noodles have become usual Indo-Chinese dish at my place. This is one of our all time favorite recipe. Whenever I feel bored to cook, this is the recipe I prefer to make because it's easy, less time consuming and healthy too ;). Its smoky flavor, crispiness and color of veggies that blend with noodles is what I love the most in this dish. Wok also plays a significant role in making hakka noodles. Your kids will love to take this in their lunchbox often. I make this recipe along with any type of Manchurian like vegetable, cauliflower, paneer and tofu. You can use any plain noodles for this recipe. Now here you go with the recipe....
                         

Paneer Capsicum Briyani

                              

I'm pretty sure that everyone would miss their mother's cooking, especially when it comes to traditional veg briyani. Whenever I make briyani/pulao, I struggle to cook basmati rice at the right consistency. I found a secret way of cooking rice, let me share that with you in the steps ;). Paneer and capsicum makes a wonderful combination when cooked together and this recipe can be easily prepared when we have unexpected guests. Here comes my secret :)