Spaghetti Aglio e Olio

Homemade spinach and cheese ravioli

Ricotta Gnocchi with Almond Basil Pesto

Fresh Corn Ravioli with Herb Cream Sauce

Spirulina Spaghetti with Chicken Tikka

Cheesy Spinach Farfalle

Farfalle or bow-tie pasta is my kids favourite shaped pasta. I prepared pasta today after a long time, needless to say that it was attacked when I had barely finished clicking the pictures. I was meaning to click some more pictures with shredded cheese on the top, however it was too late. Joel was back from school and he could wait no longer!

Rainbow Nutrition

Its time for another International Incident Party and this time the theme being COLOUR.

Chicken Farfalle

  

 Farfalle are a type of pasta. Commonly known as "bow-tie pasta," the name is derived from the Italian word farfalla (butterfly). The "e" at the end of the word is the Italian feminine plural ending, making the meaning of the word "butterflies." 

Vermicilli Biryani with Tahini- International Noodles Incident

Its that time of the month, that calls for another International Incident. I so enjoy these incidents for the fresh excitement and challenge that they bring along. Its fun to stretch the creativity and post at the same time across the globe. This times theme being "noodles" here's an Indian biryani of the Italian vermicilli with the Mediteranean Tahini. Howzzat for International?

Alphabet Soup

I have not been able to blog of late, no thanks to the summer viral flu in the air. The kids took turns with it. But it gets even better now! Joel's got summer vacations, begining tomorrow. So I would be busy thinking of ways to keep my busy bodies busy. If I do think of sneaking in a post, the brother-sister duo would be at their creative best, with their freedom, and I would have to be prepared for surprises not necessarily pleasant. Hmm I would have to think of a few strategies here.

So here's some Alphabet Soup to herald the summer vacations! Simple to make easy to fascinate kids.

Ingredients-

1 onion sliced

1 carrot cubed

2 cloves of oven roasted garlic

1tsp butter

Alphabet pasta

salt to taste

pepper

Preparation-

• Heat butter in a heavy bottomed vessel, saute the onions.
• Add the cubed carrots, garlic and 1 cup water, cover and cook.
• When done, cool, drain(reserve) and puree the veggies.
• In a separate dish, boil water and cook the pasta and drain.
• Mix the puree, pasta, add the reserve to change the consistency, add salt and give it a boil.
• Add freshly ground pepper and serve hot.

Now how many letters and numbers can you spot?

Sending this post for Souper Sundays

Gnocchi Chicken Tikka- Gnocchi Party

Talk about virtual interaction! Penny from Jeroxie anounced a virtual Gnocchi Party. I was eager to join in, the flavour was supposed to be Umami. I had no clue what I was in for! I had never made Gnocchi in my life nor heard of Umami flavour. Many times I wanted to chicken out (pun intended), but Divina and Penny were very encouraging and provided me links to make it easire for me. Having finally joined them I must say it was fun! A big thank you to both of you, else I dont know when I would have tried Gnocchi or explored Umami. I have stuck to the traditional Potato Gnocchi since it was my first time, will explore in future. I would also like to explore healthier versions of Gnocchi. But what am I doing here. I am off to the party.... Join me there when you finish... At the party you will find..

• Penny- Jeroxie
• Divina – Sense & Serendipity
• Christine – Christine’s Recipes
• Mardi – Eat, Live, Travel, Write
• Trix – Tasty Trix
• Mellie – Tummy Rumbles
• Conor – Hold the Beef
• Natasha – Five Star Foodie
• Agnes Hon- Off the Spork
• Ozoz- Kitchen Butterfly

Rouxbe Online Cooking School & Video Recipes

Potato Gnocchi

Ingredients 2 potatoes 1egg yolk white flour as required nutmeg pepper Preparation-

• Boil the potatoes and..
• I had no potato ricer as the recipe requires. I had this...

and heres what I got... Good enough?

• Areate the riced potatoes.

• Mix with flour, nutmeg and pepper powder.

• Break the yolk into it and mix.

• Knead the dough till it does not stick to your fingers adding flour all as required.

• Let it stand for 10 minutes
• Then cut into finger long strips and then finger sized squares.
• Roll it over a fork and mould them.

• Your gnocchi is done!
• To cook drop in boiling water till they float.

Now for the Umami flavour! Well I decided to go Indian. So we have Gnocchi Chicken Tikka! For the Chicken Tikka click here.

Shells with Chicken and Tomato Sauce

While we went shopping last weekend for groceries, Joel said he wanted shell macaroni. He sits in the trolley while we shop and surveys all that goes in the trolley very keenly. He makes sure he makes a petition for all that he wants. One important lesson I'd like to learn from kids is their persistence. If I ignore him the first time, he will repeat himself till I've acknowledged it. Then repeat till I give him the verdict "he can have it or he can't". If he can he will remind me again (almost immediately) till it goes in the trolley. If he cant, he needs a reason; should be good enough to convince him. All this while I am trying to find what I need and not forget anything in the list and check for ingredients, brands, prices etc. Phew! Am I glad that most of the times he is not unreasonable in his demands.

I like the shell shaped macaroni because the sauce sits well inside each shell. What is your favourite pasta?

Ingredients-

1 1/2cups shell macaroni
Chicken-

1chicken breast

ginger-garlic paste

salt

lemon juice

Sauce-

1onion minced

1tsp ginger-garlic paste

1large tomatoes minced

1/2 tsp garam masala

salt to taste

Garnish-

grated cheese

oregano

Preparation-

• Cut the chicken breast and marinate with salt, ginger-garlic paste and lemon juice. Freeze overnight. Defreeze the next day and cook. When cool enough to handle shred and keep aside.
• Cook the shell macaroni in water al dente. Drain and keep aside.
• While the macaroni cooks, heat oil in a pan. Saute the minced onions.
• Add ginger-garlic paste and minced tomatoes. Cook till it aquires sauce consistency.
• Add salt and the shredded chicken. Mix well.
• Add the shell macaroni, stir in the sauce well and take off the heat.
• Garnish with oregano and grated cheese and serve.

Pasta In Spinach Cream Sauce

As I had promised in my previous post here's a way to use your Enriched Spinach Puree for pasta. Pasta in spinach cream sauce as the name suggests is rich in spinach and cream.
I have used elbow macaroni, do use your child's favourite pasta to make it fun for him/her.

After I had finished preparing it and tasting it, I was quite happy with myself. Now I had to face my jury's verdict. Jury- my 4year old son and 19 months daughter. Joel tasted some and rolled his eyes (while I waited with bated breath) and pronounced "I don't like it". Then came Judith- she winced, but politely gave it a second shot and no more! I thought to myself "Now what do I do?" That's when I remembered tomato sauce! Having added some, I requested Joel to give it one more shot promising not to force him if he didnt like it. To my relief he loved it and complained no more, instead finished the meal quickly. Judith followed suit. Actually I also liked it better with the tomato sauce.

Have you cooked pasta with spinach? Do share.

Ingredients-
1tbs olive oil
1 cup elbow macaroni
5 tbs fresh cream
2 tbs enriched spinach puree
1 small onion finely chopped
5 cloves of garlic finely chopped
1tsp oregano
salt to taste

Preparation-

• Boil water, drop in the macaroni when the water is boiling and cook al dente. Drain the pasta, wash in cold water and keep aside. Reserve the water.
• Chop the garlic and onion fine.
• Heat oil in a pan add the garlic and onion and saute.
• Add the fresh cream; stirring till it thickens.
• Pour in the enriched spinach puree and stir. If you would like the sauce a little lighter add the reserve.
• Add the salt and oregano seasoning.
• Finally add the boiled pasta and mix into the spinach cream sauce.
• Serve with or without tomato sauce according to your family's taste buds.