Rotini Cilantro Pesto Pasta

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This Pasta is very quick n easy to prepare ...and the best part all the ingredients are easily available in India,I adopted this recipe from Nita Mehta's book (Pasta n Corn) with a slight variation,the result was very good n we enjoyed it. Kids will surely love this as its very creamy n less spicy , it is healthy too because of the cilantro,nuts and parsley.

Preparation time :10 min

Cooking time :15min

Serve :2

Ingredients:

• 2 cups Rotini/or any pasta (any shape)
• 1 cup chopped cilantro (coriander)
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional)
• 3/4 cup milk
• 1 tsp chopped garlic
• 3 tbsp chopped walnuts
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 3 tbsp finely grated cheese(any one)
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1/2 tsp chilli flakes
• 1/8 tsp pepper powder
• salt to taste

Cooking Procedure

Preparing the pesto

In a grinder or blender, combine garlic ,walnut ,salt ,coriander ,parsely,oil,chilli flakes and cheese and blend until finely chopped into a coarse paste .

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Preparing the pasta

Bring a large sauce pan of salted water to boil,add pasta n cook until done.Drain water n keep pasta aside.Melt 2 tbsp butter on a pan . Add pasta and toss well sprinkle some pepper on it n mix well. Keep aside.

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Mix milk with pesto sauce in a large pan and boil .Simmer for 1 min .

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Add pasta to pesto sauce, toss well and serve.

This recipe goes to 3 wonderful events

Pesto Pasta Nights 2010 #178 hosted by Amy of Very Culinary started by Ruth

Kids Menu Event hosted by Neha

Kids Delight hosted by Pari

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Tags: Pesta,Pasta,Italian,Rotini, Rotini Cilantra, Easy Recipe, Tasty Recipe,Pasta Recipe,Italian Recipe

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Minestrone Soup With Tricolor Pasta

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On this wonderfull occasion of Independence day I feel proud I am an Indian.. I want to prepare something special for this joyful moment and I found this tricolor rotini pasta in my shelf which closely resembles our tricolor national flag.

Minestrone soup is one of the cornerstones of Italian cuisine and eaten throughout Italy. Common ingredients include beans, onions, celery, carrots, and tomatoes. Add any vegetable that is in season and make this soup distinctly yours.Rotini literally means "twists" and it a wonderfull pasta to add to minestrone soup.I am sure you will enjoy this soup on any day..

Preparation time:10 min

Cooking time:20 min

Serves 2

Ingredients:

1 cup pasta(tricolor rotini pasta)

1 cup homemade vegetable stock (6 cubes)

2 cups water

1/2 cup chopped spinach

1/4 cup chopped spring onions

1/4 cup peas

1/4 cup diced carrot

1/2 cup chopped bell pepper

1/2 cup choppedtomato

1/3 cup tomato sauce

1/2 tsp sugar

1/2 tsp chilli flakes

1/4 tsp basil

1/8 tsp italian seasoning

2 tsp fresh parsley

1 tsp chopped garlic

1 tsp olive oil

1 tbsp parmesan cheese(optional for vegans)

1/2 tsp butter(optional for vegans)

salt to taste

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Cooking Procedure:

Heat oil in a pan ,add minced garlic ,chopped onion and saute for a min ,then add carrot,peas,bell pepper n saute for 2 min and then add spinach and tomato n stir for 1 more min,then add basil n salt.

In the mean time ,on another flame put a deep bottom sauce pan ,add the vegetable stock n water and let it boil ,one it reach to boiling point add butter,sugar,tomato sauce to it and then add the saute veggies to it and mix well.

Now add the tricolor rotini pasta ,chopped parsley and italian seasoning and let it cook for 8 to 10 min ,once the pasta is cooked ,then swith off the stove n add 1 tbsp parmesan cheese to it ...

Serve hot with some toasted bread n enjoy ur soup.

I am sending this soup for the wonderful weekly event Pesto Pasta Nights 2010 #177 hosted by Katie started by Ruth

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Tags: brunch,vegan, italian,soup, minestrone soup, italian soup, easy recipe, tasty recipe, healthy recipe, healthy soup, easy soup, tasty soup, italian herbs, pareley, basil, rotini pasta, pasta

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Angel Hair Pasta With Veggies

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There is a very thin variety of italian pasta (Capelli d'angelo) which literally means angel hair. I was very excited to find this pasta as it seemed so fine, looks like spaghetti but thinner. There was a recipe on the box and i varied it slightly but the base ingredients were all the same.There are many varieties of pasta and this has become one of my favourite.I am sure you would love it.

Preparation and Cooking Time: 45 min

Serves: 2

Ingredients

• 1 handfull grip angel hair pasta
• 1 cup sliced mushrooms
• 1/4 cup onion or spring onions
• 1 tbsp chopped garlic
• 2 tbsp fresh chopped parsley / 1 tsp dry parsley
• 1/2 tsp dry basil
• 1 cup chopped spinach
• 1/2 cup any color bell pepper
• 1/2 cup chopped tomatoes
• 1/2 cup vegetable stock (4 cubes )
• 2 chopped chilles
• 1/4 tsp black pepper powder
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp grated parmeson cheese
• salt to taste

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Cooking Procedure:

Take 4 cups water in a deep sauce pan and let it boil .

Add a little salt and oil to boiling water,let it boil for 30 sec then add the angel hair pasta (adding oil prevents the angel hair pasta to stick to each other).Let it cook till tender and drain the water and run under cold water some 1 minute then drain again and keep the angel hair pasta aside.

Heat olive oil in a pan/wok and add garlic,onion,green chilli and fry for a minute, then add chopped bell pepper and fry for one more min. Then add mushrooms,spinach,parsely,black pepper and salt to taste and cook for 3-4 min.

Then add the tomatoes and let it cook for 1 more minute.

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Now add vegetable stock and stir for a while.Then add pasta and mix it nicely and let it cook for 2-3 min.

Then sprinkle the basil stir it and then add parmeson cheese and toss it nicely.

Your angel hair pasta is ready , serve immediately.

This pasta recipe goes to two wonderful events

Pesto Pasta Nights 2010 #176 hosted by Siri started by Ruth

Kids Delight hosted by Pari

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Award Time !!

I would like to thank Chaitrali Pathak from I m not a chef blog who passed me so many beautiful awards, she is an excellent blogger with so many delicious recipes ... most of them are restaurant style mouthwatering dishes. Don't miss her blog.

And thanks to all blogger friends who give their valuable encouraging comments that make me realize i have touched so many hearts. Looking forward to your continued support...

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Tags: Pasta, Angel Hair,Capelli d'angelo,Mushroom, Spinach, Parsley, Tomatoes, Basil, Italian Food, Healthy Food, Light Food, Tasty Food, Italian Recipe, Pasta Recipe, Spaghetti

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