Strawberry Lemon Basil Pasta Salad#Improv

Strawberry Lemon Basil Pasta Salad is a healthy and delicious dish that will brighten up any plate. A pasta side dish made with strawberries, lemon and fresh basil , it's perfect for a light and filling  summer meal. A  simple salad wherein the dressing can be made a day ahead and tossed  just before serving.

Ingredients 
2 Tablespoons Olive oil
2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 Tablespoon Balsamic vinegar
1 Tablespoon Sugar
1/2 Teaspoon Sendhav Namak / Himalayan Pink Salt
1/4 Teaspoon Red Chilly Flakes
1/4 Teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 Cups Campanella Pasta
A Handful of Fresh Baby Basil leaves
2 Cups Sliced Strawberries
1 Lemon - cut into round slices

Method

Boil the pasta in water with a tablespoon of sea salt when the water comes to a boil add the pasta and cook it on high flame till al dente. It took 10 to 12 minutes to cook. Drain and cool it completely. 

In a large bowl, whisk together oil, lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, sugar, salt and pepper until sugar is dissolved. Add pasta, basil, lemon zest and strawberries, toss to coat.
Salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate covered until ready to serve.  

Serve garnished with a lemon slices and enjoy.  

Labels: Pasta, Salads, Strawberry, Healthy, Main course, Improv Cooking Challenge, Vegetarian, Vegan,  Pasta & Noodles

Check out what the other bloggers have made!

Improv Cooking Challenge: June 2020

Ingredients: Strawberries and Basil

• Strawberry Basil Lemonade by Making Miracles
• Grilled Chicken Breasts with Balsamic Strawberry Basil Topping by A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Strawberry Basil Crumb Bars by Veggies First Then Dessert
• Strawberry Lemon Basil Pasta Salad by Sneha's Recipe
• Strawberry Basil Avocado Toast by Palatable Pastime
• Strawberry Basil Smoothies by Our Good Life
• Grilled Strawberry & Blue Basil Granita by Culinary Adventures with Camilla
• Strawberry Basil Bourbon Smash by Cookaholic Wife

Mazedar Chicken Noodle Chaat

This is super fast and easy, delicious and complete meal. Many at times our children want to have instant noodles, we give it to them as per the packet instructions and we say that they are having unhealthy food. 

Try this chaat recipe with noodles, chicken, veggies, fries, curds and you are presenting an interesting, delicious and eye catching bowl of healthy food. This can be had as complete meal too. We had it as our meal instead of the regular roti and sabzi... try this,  kids will enjoy,  ask for it again and again. This is an absolute comforting soul food. 

Serves 2
Ingredients 
2 Small Pack of Instant  Noodles
150 Grams Boneless Chicken - finely cubed
1 Spring Onion - finely chopped
1 Fresh Red or Green Chilly - finely chopped - I used Red
1 Small Onion - cut into small cubes
1/2 Capsicum - cut into small cubes
1 Medium Tomato - seeded and cut into small cubes
1+1 Tablespoon Olive Oil or Vegetable oil - I used Olive Oil
3 Cloves Garlic - finely chopped
1 Tablespoon Heaped Chilly Garlic Sauce
1 Tablespoon Heaped Red Chilly Sauce
One packet of Noodle seasoning - the one that come along in the pack
1 Cup Thick Fresh Curds / Yogurt- beaten
French Fries as required - optional
Chaat Masala as required
Potato Wafers of your choice - I used Tangy Tomato Wafers

Method
Wash the chicken cubes and marinate it the Chilly Garlic Sauce, Red Chilly Sauce and the noodles seasoning, mix well. Keep this aside covered . 
In the meantime lets boil the noodles

In a big sauce pan heat 4 to 5 cups of water, when the water comes to a rolling boil slide in only the noodles (no salt and seasoning to be added and do not break the noodles ). When boiled drain into a strainer, pour cold water over it and loosen the noodles lightly with your fingers. Add a tablespoon of hot oil over the noodles and toss them well till coated. 

Now that are noodles are done, let's chop our veggies separately and keep them a side.

Now lets prepare the Chicken

In a frying pan heat oil, add the garlic, fry till it releases an aroma, for a minute only ( do not brown it ), add marinated chicken, stir fry till done and dry ( no moisture / liquid should be present). Take off flame, add a little of each - onion, capsicum and chilly, stir well keep aside.

Let's assemble our Mazedar Chicken Noodle Chaat

In a bowl place half the noodles

Arrange the french fries to the sides of the bowl

Now spread half of the prepared chicken

On top of it spread half of the curd / yogurt

Sprinkle half of the capsicum, chilly, onion, spring onions and tomato . Sprinkle chaat masala.

Crush few wafers and sprinkle on top , few whole on to the sides  

Ta-da our Mazedar Chicken Noodle Chaat    its ready ..

Looks irrestible .. isn't it !!!  

Pick a fork/spoon, just dig into it.. Enjoy !!

Labels : Chaat, Chicken, Healthy, Kids delight, Noodles, Pasta & Noodles, Main course, Healthy snacks, 

Chicken & Tomato Macaroni Soup For Two#Soupswappers

This month for Soup Swappers our host is  Colleen. Our theme is "Make a soup, chowder, or chili using any shape, variety, or flavor of pasta you choose. Get creative."

This an oil free, its a thick soup, so delicious and filling. It's so easy to make not much of cutting or chopping and not much pots and pans to clean.

Ingredients  
3 Cups Chicken Stock 
1 Tablespoon Tomato sauce
2 Tablespoons Tomato Puree
1 Tablespoon Hot and Spicy Tomato Sauce
1 Cup Boiled Macaroni
½ Teaspoon Salt
½ Teaspoon Black Pepper powder
1 Cup Creamy Style Sweet Corn
1/2 Cup Shredded Chicken
Method

In a sauce pan add the chicken stock , cream style corn, tomato puree, sauce, stir this well. Place it on medium high flame and bring it to a boil stirring it in between. Let it simmer for on medium low flame for 5 minutes, keep stirring after a minute or two. Let this soup thicken/ reduce to 2 cups. Then add the boiled macaroni, shredded chicken, salt and black pepper, again bring this to a boil. Take off flame.

Serve immediately.  Enjoy!!

Labels : Pasta & Noodles, Soup, Soup Swappers, Chicken, Tomato, Oil Free, Healthy
Other Pasta Soups 

Aash-e Reshte from Culinary Adventures with Camilla
Beef and Tomato Macaroni Soup from Palatable Pastime
6-Ingredient Broken Spaghetti Pasta Soup from Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice
Chicken & Tomato Macaroni Soup For Two from Sneha's Recipe
Crockpot Turkey Noodle Soup from Home Sweet Homestead
Minestra from A Day in the Life on the Farm
Shrimp and Tomato Stew with Fregola from Karen's Kitchen Stories

Baked Mixed Veg Pasta#BakingBloggers

Carried this Baked Mixed Veg Pasta for a party with my vegetarian friends.

Have used two sauces,Homemade Pasta Sauce and Cheesy Bechamel sauce to make this.

Ingredients 
250 Grams  Pasta -  used Macaroni
1 Cup Pasta Sauce - Homemade
2 Cups Thick Bechamel sauce
1 Teaspoon Italian Seasonings
100 Grams Cheddar Cheese
100 Grams Mozzarella Cheese
For Assembling the Pasta  
Coloured Capsicum - diced
2 Tablespoons Boiled Sweet Corn
1 Tablespoon Italian Seasonings
For the Sauted Veggies  
150 Grams Mixed Vegetables - I used frozen
1 Green Capsicum - chopped
1/4 Cup Sweet Corn - boiled
3 Baby Corns - chopped
1 Medium Onion - finely chopped
1/2 Teaspoon Pepper powder
1/2 Teaspoon Chilly flakes
1/2 Teaspoon Italian Seasonings
1/2 Teaspoon Fresh Thyme
2 Big Cloves Garlic - finely chopped
Salt to taste
1 Tablespoon Oil
1 Tablespoon Butter

Method
Boil the  pasta as per the package instructions till al dente. Keep aside.

In a pan heat the Bechamel sauce , add 2 to 3 tablespoon of cheese ( both cheddar and mozzarella ) and Italian Seasonings, mix well till cheese is melted. Take off flame,  add in the pasta and toss it well till pasta is coated. Keep aside
For the Veggies 
In a pan heat oil and butter add the garlic and saute till the it releases an aroma, then add the onion and saute till translucent. Add the mixed veggie and saute on high flame for a two minutes, now add all the spices and herbs mix well and cover and cook till veggies are nearly done. Now add the sweet corn, baby corn and capsicum, salt to taste and mix well again cover and saute on medium high flame for 3 - 4 minutes. Take off flame and cool it,  veggies are done.
In the prepared veggies add the pasta sauce and mix well, keep aside.

To assemble the Pasta.
Grease a 8 or 9 inch round Pyrex dish with butter. 

Arrange 1/2 of pasta. 

Sprinkle 2 to 3 tablespoons of the cheese

 Then spread all of the veggie filling and press it well, 

Add the remaining pasta

 Sprinkle all off the remaining cheese, garnish with coloured capsicum, sweet corn,   sprinkle a little Italian Seasonings.

 Dot it with butter and spread all of the remaining cheese. 

Cover this with a foil and bake for 20 to 25 minutes in preheated oven at 200 degrees. 

After 20 minutes remove the foil and broil it for 5 minutes till the top is browned a little. 

Cool it slightly and Enjoy...

Check here for Pasta Sauce - Homemade and for Bechamel sauce

Labels :Pasta & Noodles, Vegetarian, Mixed Vegetable, Baking Bloggers, Baked, Italy, Italian seasoning, Italian, Cheddar Cheese, Mozzarella Cheese

Baking Bloggers
Baking with Spring Vegetables
Baked Mixed Veg Pasta by Sneha's Recipe
Baked Romaine Lettuce Chips by Our Good Life
Chicken and Asparagus Pasta Bake by Palatable Pastime
Rhabarberkuchen - German Rhubarb Cake by Pandemonium Noshery
Roasted Asparagus with Shaved Fennel by Culinary Adventures with Camilla
Roasted Radish Tart by Sid's Sea Palm Cooking
Roasted Spring Vegetable Farro Salad by Caroline's Cooking
Roasted Veggie Cobb Salad by Cookaholic Wife
Spring Vegetable Gratin by A Day in the Life on the Farm
Sweet Onion Galette with Parmesan and Mascarpone by Karen's Kitchen Stories

Stir Fry Baby Corn On A Bed Of Fettuccine Pasta

This is a tangy and sweet baby corn stir fry. This is served on a bed of Fettuccine pasta. It's vegan and delicious. 

Ingredients

3 Tablespoons Sesame oil
6 Baby corns - cut into four parts
2 Capsicums - cut into strips
1 Spring Onions - white and green sliced separately
1 Tomato - de seeded - cut into strips
1 Tablespoons Ginger Garlic paste -
1.1/2 Teaspoon Red Chilly powder
2 Tablespoons Tomato sauce
2 Tablespoons Tomato Puree
1 Tablespoons Corn flour - mixed in 1/4 cup water
1/2 Teaspoon Ajinomoto - optional
1 Teaspoon Soy sauce
Salt to taste
200 Grams Fettuccine Pasta
Method

Boil the Fettuccine Pasta as per packet instructions.

Mix the ginger - garlic paste in 2 tablespoon water and keep aside.
Fry the baby corn, capsicum and tomato separately, keep aside.

In a wok heat oil and add the ginger-garlic paste and fry till all the water dries. Then add the tomato puree, tomato sauce, soy sauce, chilly powder and salt to taste. 

Stir fry till oil leaves the sides then add the white part of the onion and stir fry on high flame for a minute add the fried baby corn, capsicum and tomato, stir fry on high flame for a minute add water to make it saucy and the ajinomoto  and bring it to a boil, add the corn flour slurry and let it thicken slightly. 

Take off flame and serve it on a bed of Fettuccine pasta.

Labels : Pasta & Noodles, Baby Corn, Vegetarian, Vegan, Main course, Italian

Baked Mexican Chicken Spaghetti#BakingBloggers

Whenever  we are invited for a party , I always ask my host what can I bring.   Took this  Baked Mexican Chicken Spaghetti for the dinner party.

This was  a delicious and makes a fantastic festive dinner that your friends and  family will enjoy. It's topped with cheese, Mexican seasoning, baked until it becomes oey, gooey and the cheese is melty, to perfection. 

Servings 7 -8
Ingredients  
1 Kg Boneless Chicken - chopped into tiny cubes
2 Large Onions - finely chopped
1 Tablespoon Each Ginger Garlic - minced
1 Green bell pepper - finely chopped
200 Grams Tomato Puree
2 Jalapenos - finely chopped
2 Tablespoons Finely chopped Parsley
6 Medium Ripe Tomatoes
1 Packet Mexican Noodle Taste Maker
1 Teaspoon Cayenne pepper
Salt to taste
1 Teaspoon Mexican Seasoning
3 Tablespoons Oil
500 Grams Spaghetti pasta

For the Toppings  
Few Fresh Basil Leaves
Mixed Herbs
Mexican Seasoning
Chopped Parsley
Diced Coloured Bell Peppers
Chopped Spring Onion Greens
Grated Cheese as required - see notes
Method
First cook the spaghetti as per package instructions. Drain it and keep aside.
Blanche the tomatoes, remove the skin and chopperize them. Keep this aside.
Heat oil a large skillet, add the onions , ginger and garlic, saute till the onions are translucent, add the chicken and saute till it turn pink to white, now add the, tomato puree and chopperized tomatoes, Mexican taste maker , jalapenos and stir fry till nicely mixed. Reduce the flame to medium low and let it cook till dry but still moist. Now add the chopped capsicum and Mexican seasoning, cayenne pepper and taste for salt and add accordingly. See that this mixture is not dry but saucy. 

Grease a big casserole dish lavishly with oil or butter , I used a non stick baking dish to make this.
Transfer the chicken mixture to the baking dish 

Place the coloured bell peppers, sprinkle chopped parsley. 

Sprinkle little cheese on top 

Spread  the spaghetti and place the coloured bell peppers, sprinkle chopped parsley and spring onion greens again cheese as much as you would like, I used a total of 1.1/2 cups of grated cheese.

A sprinkle of Mexican seasonings and mixed herbs on  top 

Dot it with tiny cubes of butter and and few basil leaves  bake  at 180 until cheese is melted or for about 20 to 25 minutes. 

Remove from oven, and let sit 5 minutes or so. Serve and enjoy!  Isn't this  Mexican Chicken Spaghetti, so creamy, dreamy and delicious! 

My Notes
I used a mix of Sheep cheese and cheeza cheese.
Labels : Baked, Pasta & Noodles, Chicken, Mexican, Baking Bloggers, Spaghetti, Cheese, Mexican Seasoning, Main course 
Baking Bloggers, theme for the month is Baked Pasta and our host is Sue. 


Baked Mac and Cheese with Corn by Anybody Can Bake
Baked Mexican Chicken Spaghetti by Sneha's Recipe
Cavatini by Palatable Pastime
Cheesy Artichoke Ravioli Casserole by Food Lust People Love
Cheesy Vegetable Pasta Bake by Cook with Renu
Creamy Lemon Chicken Pasta Bake by Caroline's Cooking
Greek Giouvetsi by Pandemonium Noshery
Macarona Bechamel (Egyptian Baked Pasta) by Tara's Multicultural Table
Meatless Lasagna by A Day in the Life on the Farm
Mushroom And Artichoke Pasta Bake by Oventales
Rakott teszta (Hungarian Layered Noodles) by Sid's Sea Palm Cooking
Sausage and Spinach Lasagna by Cookaholic Wife
Spiralized Sweet Potato Macaroni and Cheese by Karen's Kitchen Stories
Turkey Ham Mac and Cheese by Cindy's Recipes and Writings
Turkey Tetrazzini by Reviews, Chews & How-Tos

Chicken Bolognese#FantasticalFoodFight

For a healthier alternative to red meat I have made this in an authentic Italian style, try this Chicken Bolognese. 

Ingredients 

1 to 1½ Cups Homemade Pasta sauce
250 Grams  Spaghetti Pasta - boiled

Ingredients for mince sauce

250 Grams Chicken Mince
1 Medium Onion - chopped 
1 Teaspoon Garlic Paste   
½ Teaspoon Dried Oregano 

½ Teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
1 Teaspoon Black Pepper powder
½ Teaspoon Salt or to taste
1 Teaspoon Dried Basil
2 Tablespoons Butter 

2 Tablespoons Oil
Method 

For the Chicken mince

Heat butter and  oil in a pan. Add chopped onion, garlic paste, seasonings and mince. Fry for 5 minutes, add a cup water. Cover and cook until mince done. Add to it the prepared pasta sauce, mix well and let it simmer or 2 to 3 minutes. Taste for salt and sauce consistency.   Now fold in boiled pasta. Remove in a dish. 

Serve sprinkled with parsley and basil leaves. 

Lables :  Chicken, Pasta & Noodles, Italy, Pasta sauce, Spaghetti, Fantastical Food Fight, Main course

It’s time for Fantastical Food Fight headed up by Sarah Ellis at Fantastical Sharing. Since October is National Pasta Month, so we are celebrating with making oodles of noodles to share! Our theme for the month is: PASTA
You can learn more about our group and how to join in the fun over at this site.

#FantasticalFoodFightClick on the hop link button to be transported to the other recipes:  

An InLinkz Link-up