Saturday 12 May 2012

Shell Pasta in White Sauce



There is nothing better than pasta in white sauce. You can have it for dinner or breakfast. I personally prefer having it for breakfast. Breakfast is the  most important meal of the day. It should be filling, nutritious and healthy. To make it healthy I add in a lot of fresh vegetables. You can also add some chicken or prawns if you want. This does not take much time to prepare and is very tasty - hence perfect for any weekday breakfast or dinner.

 Ingredients:
- Shell Pasta(small)  (3 cups)
- Tomatoes (small 1 julienne)
- Capsicum (1 cut into long thin strands)
- Carrots (1 julienne)
- Garlic (1 clove crushed)
- All purpose flour / Maida(1 tbsp)
- Milk ( 2 cups)
- Salt(Acc to taste)
- Cheese of your choice (2 tbsp)
- Olive oil ( 3 tbsp)
- Pepper powder (1 tsp)

Preparation:
- Boil water in a pan.
- When the water is boiling medium the flame and add in pasta. Also add in 1 tbsp olive oil. This prevents the pasta from sticking together.
- When the pasta is cooked (it should be soft yet firm; make sure not to overboil it) drain the water and put some cold water on the cooked pasta. Drain the cold water too.
- Heat 1 tbsp oil a skillet and add thegarlic to it. When garlic turns golden brown add the vegetables to it. Saute the veggies for 2-3 mins. Keep aside.
- Now for preparation of the sauce, add 1 tbsp oil in the wok. When the oil is hot add in Maida and fry it till the raw smell of flour goes.
- Now add in the milk, salt and stir so that no lumps are formed.
- When the sauce is a bit thick add the cheese, veggies and pasta. Cook together for 2-3 mins. Add in the pepper powder and mix.
- Serve hot.

:)

This is my entry for Cook Click and Devour.

Friday 11 May 2012

Prawn in Coconut milk Gravy


Mother - She is the person who loves you all through your life without asking for anything in return. Mother , Ma, Mom, Mummy, Mamma  - these are all different words but raise the same feeling in your heart every time you say it. Today is my Ma's birthday. This post is dedicated to her.

My Ma is the most beautiful woman I have ever seen in life. Whatever I am today I owe it to her.I attribute all my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from her. She is an independent woman who has the ability to balance her work and personal life smoothly. All through my childhood she never let us feel she was busy or did not have time for us. Somehow she managed to find time for her family. I cherish each and every moment I have spent with her. She is the best mother in the world.
She has sacrificed a lot for us, for her family. "Ma if you are reading this I just want to wish you a very Happy Birthday. I want you to know that me and Arnab love you more than anything else on earth. Thanks for everything you did for us. We love you."

On my birthday she used to bake a lovely cake every year without fail. I am not very good at baking so today I tried making some Prawn curry for her. Prawns are her favourite. So I just thought of sharing the recipe with you guys.



Ingredients:
- Medium sized Prawns (10-12)
- Coconut milk (1 cup)
- Bay Leaves (2)
- Green Chilli (2-3)
- Salt (Acc to taste)
- Sugar (1/2 tsp)
- Onion paste (1 tbsp)
                                                      - Cinnamon (1 stick)
                                                      - Turmeric (1/2 tsp)
                                                      - Sunflower Oil (2 tbsp)


Method:
- Marinate the prawns with 1 tsp salt for about 1/2 an hour.
- Heat oil in a wok.
- Fry the prawns till they are cooked on both sides. drain on paper towel.
- In the same oil left in the wok add bay leaves and cinnamon.
- When it leaves a nice smell add in the onion paste, slit green chilli and turmeric powder.
- When the onion turns golden brown add coconut milk and prawns.
- Add salt and sugar and bring to boil.
- Serve hot with white rice. :)


This is my entry for :
WTML at Sizzling Veggies which is originally Gayathri's event

and

Srav's Culinary Concept:Mom's Recipe