Food

4 Easy Pasta Dishes You Can Make At Home

Published

3 years ago

June 28, 2021

It’s warm, creamy and oh-so-comforting

When eaten in moderation, pasta can be part of a healthy diet. Whole-grain pasta may be a better choice for many, as it is lower in calories and carbs but higher in fiber and nutrients. However, in addition to the type of pasta you pick, what you top it with is just as important.

Buttery White Wine Pasta

Serving Size: 1 portion

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients

3 tbsp white wine

1 cup pasta

1 tbsp butter

1 cup grated parmesan cheese

Water to boil

Salt to taste

Method

Step 1 – In a saucepan, bring water to a boil. Add the pasta and season with salt. Add a few drops of oil to the boiling water to prevent pasta from sticking as it cooks.

Step 2 – Cook till pasta is al-dente. Strain the pasta well using a colander. Do not discard the liquid, set aside to prepare sauce.

Step 3 – Heat another skillet on medium heat, add about 3 tbsps of white wine and allow to reduce for 30 seconds to a minute, to allow the alcohol to evaporate.

Step 4 – Add about 2 cups of the water reserved after straining pasta to the wine. Add 1 tbsp of butter and 1/2tsp salt and allow to simmer. The sauce should reduce and thicken as it cooks but should still remain runny in consistency.

Step 5 – Add the pasta to the simmering sauce and mix well.

Step 6 – Optionally, you can also add olives, mushroom, broccoli, boiled corn or baby corn to the dish.

Step 7 – Allow the sauce to reduce a little further. Add half the quantity of the grated cheese and mix well for a buttery yet lightly glazed sauce. The sauce at this stage should be creamy yet slightly runny.

Step 8 – Plate the pasta, garnish with the remainder of the cheese and serve hot.

Chilli Oregano Spaghetti

Serving Size: 1 portion

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients

1 cup Pasta spaghetti

4 tbsp Infused Cold Pressed Virgin Coconut Oil – Chilli Oregano-

2 tsp Garlic chopped

2 tbsp Onion chopped

Cherry tomatoes – handful

1/2 cup Broccoli florets

1/2 cup Mushrooms caps

Basil leaves – few sprigs

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese grated

2 tbsp Celery, chopped

Olives green – handful

Olives black – handful

Salt to taste

Method

Step 1 – Boil 5 cups of water. Add a generous pinch of salt. Add pasta and cook for 8 mins. Drain the water and keep aside.

Step 2 – Heat a pan and add Infused Cold Pressed Virgin Coconut Oil Chilli Oregano.Add chopped onion, celery & garlic and cook for 2 mins. Then add mushrooms and cook them for another 2 mins. Add cherry tomatoes & broccoli florets and toss them for 3mins.

Step 3 – Add the pasta, sprinkle salt & add in olives then toss them together. Add a dash of water and toss again.

Step 4 – Cook for 3 mins. Remove from heat and add grated parmesan cheese.

Toss and serve hot.

Spinach and Ricotta Cheese Cannelloni

Serving Size: 1 portion

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients

For the tomato sauce

3 tbsp olive oil

8 garlic cloves, crushed

3 tbsp caster sugar

2 tbsp red wine vinegar

4 x 400g cans chopped chopped tomatoes

Small bunch basil leaves

For the topping

2 x 250g tubs mascarpone

3 tbsp milk

85g parmesan (or vegetarian alternative), grated

2 x 125g balls mozzarella, sliced

For the filling

1kg spinach

100g parmesan (or vegetarian alternative), grated

3 x 250g tubs ricotta

Large pinch grated nutmeg

400g dried cannelloni

Method

Step 1 – First make the tomato sauce. Heat the oil in a large pan and fry the garlic for 1 min. Add the sugar, vinegar, tomatoes and some seasoning and simmer for 20 mins, stirring occasionally, until thick.

Step 2 – Add the basil and divide the sauce between 2 or more shallow ovenproof dishes (see Tips for freezing, below). Set aside. Make a sauce by beating the mascarpone with the milk until smooth, season, and then set aside.

Step 3 – Put the spinach in a large colander and pour over a kettle of boiling water to wilt it (you may need to do this in batches). When cool enough to handle squeeze out the excess water.

Step 4 – Roughly chop the spinach and mix in a large bowl with 100g Parmesan and ricotta. Season well with salt, pepper and the nutmeg.

Step 5 – Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Using a piping bag or plastic food bag with the corner snipped off, squeeze the filling into the cannelloni tubes.

Step 6 – Lay the tubes, side by side, on top of the tomato sauce and spoon over the mascarpone sauce. Top with Parmesan and mozzarella.

Step 7 – You can now freeze the cannelloni, uncooked, or you can cook it first and then freeze. Bake for 30-35 mins until golden and bubbling. Remove from oven and let stand for 5 mins before serving.

Pasta Pollo Al Forno

Serving Size: 1 portion

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 medium red onion, chopped

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 can (400gm) crushed tomatoes

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon chilli flakes

1/2 teaspoon dried basil

1/2 cup heavy cream

450gm (penne/macaroni/rigatoni)

250gm spinach

350gm precooked (smoked chicken or chicken sausage), halved lengthwise and sliced

250gm shredded mozzarella cheese.

1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Method

Step 1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta for 7-8mins [Al-dente]. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

Step 2. Heat oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add onion; cook until translucent, about 3 minutes. Stir in garlic. Cook for another minute.

Step 3. Stir in tomatoes, oregano and basil, simmer for 8-10 minutes.

Step 4. Add cream; cook for 5 minutes. Season sauce with salt and pepper

Step 5. Add sausage, spinach to pan, toss to coat.

Step 6. Transfer pasta into lightly greased 9X13-inch pan. Top with shredded mozzarella and parmesan.

Step 7. Bake until browned and edges are crisp, 20 to 30 minutes.

Food

Benefits of Including Crab in your Diet

Published

1 month ago

March 23, 2024

Reshma Vivekanandan

Crab has all the attraction of seafood without the fishy flavor that some people want to avoid. It is delightfully salty with a delicate mineral sweetness. Crabs were reportedly among the foods that coastal societies eaten a hundred years ago. On the menus of the greatest restaurants today, it stands out as the highlight dish. Crab is famous for its distinctive, exquisite flavor as well as for the health benefits it provides.

Omega-3 fatty acids and protein are abundant in crabs. The Food Experts advise two servings of fish and seafood every week, which is not difficult.

Good Protein Source

Crab is a low-fat, nutritious protein source that boosts metabolism and gives you energy. In reality, crab has less saturated fat and about the same amount of protein per 100 grams as other meats.

Strengthens Heart Health

Consuming a lot of crab meat can actually benefit your cardiovascular system. The Omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, and protein found in crab are all beneficial sources of lowering cholesterol. Having lower cholesterol lowers your chances of heart attacks and strokes.

Increases Brain Activity

Crabs are healthy for you since they are a high source of selenium, vitamin B2, copper, and other vital vitamins and minerals. Together with omega-3 fatty acids, these nutrients support healthy brain ageing and reduce the risk of dementia. They aid in defending against oxidative stress, inflammation, and other elements that may have an impact on the growth and health of the brain.

Strengthens bones

You may already be aware of the significance of calcium for bone health. However, did you realize that phosphorus plays an equal role? Due to its high phosphorus content, crab flesh can aid in the development of strong, healthy teeth and bones.

Contains selenium

Compared to other meats, crab offers a substantially higher supply of selenium. As an antioxidant, this necessary mineral not only assists in preventing cell damage from free radicals but also strengthens your immune system. Selenium aids in the regulation of your metabolism and is essential for healthy thyroid function.

An aphrodisiac

The aphrodisiac property of crab meat promotes libido and sexual energy. They have high quantities of zinc and substances that increase estrogen and testosterone levels, enhancing sexual desire.

Makes the blood flow faster

Copper is yet another significant mineral present in crab meat. One significant advantage of copper is that it facilitates the body’s absorption of iron, which enhances the creation of red blood cells. After injuries and illnesses, proper circulation aids in the healing process.

Consuming excessive amounts of crab can have certain unfavorable impacts, just like with most other foods. If you eat too much of some of the nutrients in crab, such copper and zinc, you could get sick. Crab, however, is a fairly nutritious item to eat in moderation unless you have a seafood allergy, and adverse effects are uncommon. Before consuming any seafood, always make sure you don’t have any allergies.

Food

The Taste Of Malayali Kitchen In Sweden

Published

2 years ago

May 23, 2022

Contributor

A Kochi-based malayali is creating a sensation by preparing Kerala Cuisine in the foreign swedish kitchen. Devi Nair, who has been settled in Sweden with her husband for almost 10 years, wanted her daughter to experience the delicacies of the Malyaali culture along with her International palette. The sense of homesickness and nostalgia has a part to play in this venture as well. In recent years, as the pandemic hit she chose to share her cooking extravaganzas on Instagram which led her to become more known to the public. Her recipes featured celebratory treats like the Bengali confection Rosbora, local parotta, and non-vegetarian Kerala foods that are popular on social media because they’re simple to make yet delicious to eat and look at. Devi whips up a storm of authentic Kerala delicacies during Malayali festivals. Tender, plump unniyappam, spongy kozhukkatta, rice dumplings, Vishu ada, and Vishu katta are just a few of the items on her Vishu menu this year. She prepared undaputtu with spicy prawn filling, kilikkoodu with meat and egg white, and ammini kozhukatta, a spicy rice dumpling, for Eid. It is also heard that she is planning to launch her own bakery in Sweden as well.

Words By : Goutham Satheesh

Food

Some Flavourful Delights to Savour this Festive Season

Published

2 years ago

April 16, 2022

Contributor

Vishu and Easter festivities are around the corner. Along with dressing up and gathering around for some fun family time, you would definitely want to indulge in these simple but festive special treats.

Lilly’s Pattisserie

What if we told you could have Payasam cakes? Yes. You heard that right. The Lilly’s Patisserie, Thrissur is offering Payasam cakes on it its Vishu Special menu as a distinct highlight. Try out their Palada and Pazham Pradhaman cakes which are available in two sizes.They have also got you covered for Easter with a range of Hot Cross Buns from traditional to chocolate and candy berry flavours. You can also spice up your Easter treats with their artisanally crafted Easter Eggs.

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Pandhal Cake Shop

The Pandhal Cake Shop, Kochi is shelling out some amazing Easter Egg Surprises this Holy Season. Their marzipan-based eggs come in varied sizes and colours vibrant enough to cheer the grimmest of the lot. Also, check out their Easter Egg Baskets that are sure to surprise you!

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A post shared by Pandhal Cake Shop (@pandhalcakeshop)

Lebanese Grill

No Easter is complete without some spicy meat-based main course to savour. This Kottayam-based Arabian restaurant is all about gifting your loved ones with some flavourful rice for the festive season. This Easter they are introducing the Mutton Cask Biriyani. The cask comes along with pappad, pickle and raita. These are only available on a pre-order basis. So, what are you waiting for? Hurry up and order now.