Pasta Treat

Whenever I ask my son what he wants in his lunch-box, his reply is very vague; lest he chooses something less interesting!!! Kids adore their lunch-box treats (and show them off too). It is upto the mother to rack her brains to come up with something that will nourish her child along with pleasing their fussy palate. It has to strike a right balance. Therefore fast foods turn healthy under the mothers' eagle eye. Numerous permutations and combinations are possible with your thinking caps on. This popular Italian dish is tuned to the Indian palate.

Pasta Treat

Ingredients:

Penne Pasta 1 ½ cups

Oil 5 cups

Salt 1 tsp

Water 1 tsp

Oil 2 Tbsp

Ginger, grated ¼ tsp

Tomato 2, large

Capsicum 1

Vegetables ¾ cup

Salt to taste

Chili powder 2 tsp

Turmeric powder ¼ tsp

Cumin powder ½ tsp

Coriander powder 1 tsp

Tomato sauce 1 Tbsp

Oregano ½ tsp

Method:

Bring water to boil in a large pan. Add salt and oil. Drop in the pasta when the water is bubbling furiously. Cook al dente. Drain and refresh in cold water.

Roughly chop the tomatoes and microwave for 2 minutes. Mash with spoon.

Chop capsicums finely. Have your spices ready.

Heat oil in a pan and sauté ginger, vegetables and capsicum.

Add tomatoes, chili powder, turmeric powder, cumin powder, coriander powder and salt. Sauté until well blended.

Mix in the pasta, little water, oregano and tomato sauce. Simmer covered for pasta to absorb flavors.

Sprinkle cheese on top (optional).