Baked Feta Pasta (Viral TikTok Recipe)#BakingBloggers

This dish is made pasta with cherry tomatoes, lots of basil and feta cheese , when baked is creamy, delicious. This pasta recipe has taken the culinary world by a storm! It's so easy to put together and is the perfect dish for weekend dinners and the whole thing is done in about 45 minutes with not much of chopping and washing of many dishes!

I wanted to make this recipe for a long time, but, some how because of too many restrictions on timings of stores being kept open, it's not easy to get many ingredients.

Serves 3 as a complete meal
Ingredients 
500 Grams Cherry Tomatoes
1 Small Onion - sliced
3 Big Garlic Cloves - finely chopped

½ Cup Olive Oil
¼ Teaspoon Sea Salt
¼ Teaspoon Freshly Ground Black Pepper
¼ Teaspoon Italian Seasoning
1/4 Teaspoon Red Chilly Flakes
200 Grams Feta Cheese
225 Grams Dried Pasta - of your choice
A handful of basil leaves- cut into chiffonades

Method

Place cherry tomatoes, onion, and garlic cloves in a baking Pyrex dish in a single layer. Drizzle 1/3 cup of olive oil on it.
Season with sea salt, black pepper, chilly flakes, fresh basil chiffonades and Italian seasoning, give it a good mix.

Make some space in the center of the dish, place the block of feta cheese, drizzle the remaining olive oil on it. Cover the dish with a foil and bake in the preheated oven 180°C for 35 minutes, you will see the tomatoes are bursting and bubbling.

While the dish is baking, let's boil the pasta as per the package instructions . Drain, reserve about a ¼ cup of the starchy pasta water, if needed later ( I did not use it).

After 35 minutes, remove the baking dish from the oven.
The tomatoes would have burst open and the cheese should be soft and melty. 

Mash the cheese and tomatoes with the help of a fork or spatula, then mix everything together. 

Add the cooked pasta and roughly torn basil leaves.
Toss gently until the pasta is evenly coated with the creamy sauce.

It 's creamy and cheesy comfort food. 
Labels: Baked, Pasta, Cherry Tomatoes, Feta Cheese, Baking Bloggers, Pasta & Noodles, Main course,Side Dish

#BakingBloggers

Tomatoes and Fresh Basil

• • Baked Gnocchi With Tomatoes and Basil by Magical Ingredients
  • Baked Feta Pasta by Sneha's Recipe
  • Savory Cherry Tomato, Basil, & Feta Cookies by Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice
  • Sourdough Pizza "Baked" on the Grill by A Day in the Life on the Farm
  • Thai Tomato Basil Baked Chicken by Palatable Pastime
  • Toasted Eggplant Crust Mini Pizzas by Food Lust People Love
  • Tomato and Goat Cheese Tarts by Karen's Kitchen Stories

Tri Color Pasta & Freedom Haiku Poem

Freedom Haiku Poem

I hear patriotic voices

Makes my heart cheer

Our Constitution give us

The right to freedom

If Freedom was a dish of Pasta

I would cook the way I like it.

And would eat it any time or all the time.

Thank you Stacy for making me rack my brains and write a poem, which is not my forte.

This Tricolor Pasta , represents the color of our national flag. The best thing about this Tri Color Pasta it that you can assemble it and cover with a foil. Just before serving place it in the air fryer or a preheated oven and bake it 180°C for 20 minutes or till it is heated through, I, used the air fryer. 

You also add how ever much cheese you want between the layers, I have used the minimum amount of cheese since, am, health conscious.

Serves 2 -3
Ingredients
3 Cups Penne Pasta 
For The Carrot Pesto
4 Medium Ooty Carrots - peeled
2 Dried Red Chilly - chopped
1 Tablespoon Yellow Bell Pepper - chopped
1 Tablespoon Heaped Toasted Pine nuts
2 Cloves Garlic
1 Tablespoon Heaped Parmesan Cheese
1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
Salt to taste
For the Spinach Pesto
½ Cup Packed Blanched Spinach
1 Green Chilly
1 Tablespoon Heaped Toasted Pine nuts
2 Cloves Garlic
1 Tablespoon Heaped Parmesan Cheese
1 Tablespoon Olive Oil

Salt to taste 
A Pinch of Black pepper powder
For the White Sauce/Bechamel Sauce
3 Tablespoons Butter
2 Tablespoons Heaped Homemade Cream Of Soup Mix
3 Cups Milk
2 Tablespoons Heaped Shredded Cheddar Cheese
2 Tablespoons Heaped Shredded Processed Cheese
Salt to taste
Black pepper to taste
A Pinch of Nutmeg powder
Extra Butter as required
Extra Cheese as required

Method 

Boil the pasta as per package instructions. Drain, reserve the pasta water and keep both aside. Divide the pasta into three equal parts.

For The Carrot Pesto

In a pressure pan add the carrot, red chillies, yellow bell pepper and ¼ cup water, cover and cook them on high flame for 2 whistles. Cool the cooker completely, then open it. Remove the carrot and red chillies from the cooker, if there is any water, keep it aside.  

Add the carrot, red chillies and rest of the ingredients for the carrot pesto and blend to a smooth paste, if necessary add the water that the carrot were cooked in. Remove this into a bowl and keep aside.

Carrot Pesto is ready!!
For the Spinach Pesto

Add the spinach (squeeze out all the water), red chillies and rest of the ingredients for the spinach pesto and blend to a smooth paste. Remove this into a bowl and keep aside.

Spinach Pesto is ready!!

For the White Sauce Pasta

Melt butter in a pan. Add Homemade Cream Of Soup Mix  and sauté, stirring continuously till the raw smell disappears, remove from flame and add milk gradually, whisking continuously. Once the mixture comes to a boil, reduce heat and let it simmer. Continue to whisk for 10-12 minutes or till the sauce is smooth and slightly thick.
Add cheddar and processed cheese and keep whisking. Add salt, pepper powder, and nutmeg powder. Divide the sauce into 3 pots/pans.

For The Spinach Pesto Pasta

In one pan add a tablespoon of butter, all of the spinach pesto and one part of the pasta and the white sauce, cook till it thickens a little. 

Do not dry this completely, because we want a saucy pasta. Keep aside
For The Carrot Pesto Pasta

Similarly do the same in seperate pots/pan for the carrot pesto and 

keep this aside too.
For The White Sauce Pasta

In the same white sauce pan add a additional tablespoon of butter, add one part of pasta, taste for salt and pepper powder and add according to your taste.
Now all our Tri Color pasta is ready.

Let's Assemble - Tri Color Pasta 

In a large baking big soufflé dish, butter the dish well. Add the spinach pesto pasta, sprinkle cheese 

then top it with the white sauce pasta, then again sprinkle cheese on top, 

lastly top it with the carrot pesto pasta and again sprinkle cheese. 

It's ready for the air fryer.. see all the layers

Place this foiled covered dish in the Air Fryer basket @ 180°C for 20 minutes. Let it sit in the air fryer for 3 minutes. Remove and un mold it.

I could have turned it into another serving dish, but, since I sprinkled little cheese in between layers, was apprehensive that it would crumble.

This was a truly delicious, worth the effort and time taken to make it.

Labels: Tri Color, Spinach Pesto, Carrot Pesto, White Sauce ,Vegetarian, Main course, Sunday Funday, Pasta & Noodles, Italian, Air Fryer 

April is National Poetry Month. Our Host for  Sunday Funday is Stacy - https://www.foodlustpeoplelove.com asked us to "Share a recipe and a poem about your chosen recipe or motivational ingredient".  

• An Ode to Kung Pao Tacos by A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Bacon Queso from Amy's Cooking Adventures
• Chicken Parmesan Pizza by Making Miracles
• Foraging-Shy, a Haiku + Mushroom Ragù from Culinary Adventures with Camilla
• I Cooked for Pleasure: Chicken Fried Bacon by Palatable Pastime
• Tri Color Pasta & Freedom Haiku Poem from Sneha's Recipe
• Vegan Thai Iced Tea by Mayuri's Jikoni

Tomato And Balsamic Pasta#Improv

This dish is super quick and easy to put together especially perfect for those when dinner needs to be ready in a hurry. The magic of this dish is the balsamic vinegar, it gives a tangy flavor to it.
Serves 2
Ingredients
1 Cup Heaped Ziti Pasta
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
1 Medium Onion - chopped
4 Cloves Garlic - minced
2 Medium Tomatoes - chopped
1 Tablespoon Balsamic Vinegar
1 Cup Vegetable Stock
½ Cup Pasta Water
½ Teaspoon Red Chilly Flakes
½ Teaspoon Freshly ground black pepper 1 tsp
2 Tablespoon Freshly Chopped Basil Leaves
Grated Parmigiano-Reggiano as required

Method

Boil the ziti pasta as per package instructions. Drain and reserves ½ cup pasta water.
In large pan heat the olive oil add onions, garlic sauté till the onions are translucent. Now add in tomatoes, balsamic vinegar and vegetable stock, pasta water, bring this to a boil, cover and let this cook till the tomato softens a little. 

Then add red chilies, black pepper, basil leaves and pasta, give this a good mix and let it simmer it for 2 - 3 minutes, on medium high flame, stirring at intervals.

Serve it up in a bowl with lots of freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano and with a fried egg (optional).... Enjoy!!

Labels : Vegan, Italian, Serves Two, Tomato, Basil, Balsamic Vinegar, Pasta & Noodles, Improv Cooking Challenge, Parmesan Cheese, Main course, Italy, International Cuisine

Improv Cooking Challenge:April 2021

Tomatoes & Balsamic 

Stuffed Caprese Chicken by Making Miracles 

Tomato and Balsamic Pasta by Sneha’s Recipe

Tomato Tart with Balsamic Glaze by Sid's Sea Palm Cooking  

Balsamic Braised Chicken Breasts by A Day in the Life on the Farm   

Homemade Whole Wheat Sun-dried Tomato Pasta and a Salad by Magical Ingredients  

Asparagus Bacon Caprese Salad By Cookaholic Wife

Indian Style Pink Sauce Pasta#Improv

This is a street style pasta which is saucy/gravy type of pasta and can be spiced according to our taste. This is delicious and uses blended tomatoes. Use grated cheese generously- no cutting/kanjusi in adding cheese. A must try this recipe which is quick and easy.

1 Cup Measurement = 250Ml 

Serves: 2 - as a meal
Ingredients
For Boiling Pasta
2 Cups Penne Pasta 
1½ Tablespoons Salt
2 Tablespoons Oil
6 - 8 Cups Water
For Pink Sauce
2 Tablespoons Oil +1 Tablespoon Butter
4 Cloves Garlic - finely chopped
2 Medium Onions, finely chopped
1 Teaspoon Heaped Red Chilly powder or to your spicy level
5 Medium Red Ripe Tomatoes - pureed
Salt to taste
4 Tablespoons Heaped Tomato Ketchup
½ Cup Sweet Corn - boiled
1 Tablespoon Dried Oregano
1 Teaspoon Level Red Chilly Flakes
2 Tablespoons Butter
¼ Cup Fresh Cream or Malai
Finely Chopped Coriander Leaves
Lots Of Grated Processed Cheese

Method

In a heavy bottom pan, heat water, add salt and oil, bring to a boil, add pasta  and cook for about 80% done. Strain the pasta in a bowl, add some more oil to avoid from sticking. Reserve one cup pasta water, keep aside for further use.

Heat oil and butter another large pan/kadai, add garlic and cook till it releases an aroma. Add onions and cook till translucent. Add tomato puree , mix well, Cover and cook for 10 minutes or till oil surfaces . Add red chilly powder, ketchup, sweet corn, oregano and chilly flakes, mix well. Add pasta and mix well, cover and let it cook till just done/al dente ( it should not be mushy). 

Add butter, 2 tablespoon heaped cheese and fresh cream, mix well, taste for salt then add ( I did not add salt, since butter and cheese already has salt) switch off the flame. 

Garnish with coriander leaves and lot's of processed cheese.

My Notes

Boil the paste only 80%; rest will cook in a sauce
Don’t overcook the pasta in the sauce.
After adding cream, immediately remove from the flame or else it will curdle.

Lables: Pasta & Noodles, Street food, Indian Style, Tomato, Cheese, Spicy, Main course, Vegetarian, Improv Cooking Challenge

Improv Cooking Challenge:February 2021

Tomatoes & Pasta 

• Cameroon Chicken & Tomato Stew with CousCous from Pandemonium Noshery
• Cajun Chicken Fettuccine from Making Miracles
• Southwest Pasta Salad from Palatable Pastime
• Baked Feta Tomato Fettuccine from Cookaholic Wife
• Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Pepper Sauce by Magical Ingredients
• TicTok Feta Cheese and Tomato Pasta from Our Good Life
• Mediterranean Chicken and Orzo from A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Indian Style Pink Sauce Pasta from Sneha's Recipe

Thai Noodles With Shrimps#FishFriday

This is a super quick recipe that is satisfying and filling, noodles with fresh shrimp in green curry paste. You can, substitute the noodles for your favorite ones. This recipe comes together under 30 minutes from start to finish.

For this month's Fish Friday event the theme is "Fish for Thanksgiving" and our  host is  Wendy Klik of A Day in the Life on the Farm.  

Ingredients
200 Grams Shrimps

A Sachet of Noodles Masala
Salt or to taste
½ Teaspoon Black pepper powder
2 Cloves Garlic - minced
1 Green Chilly - chopped
1 Cup Boiled Green Peas
3 Tablespoons Thai Green Curry Paste
250 Grams Noodles - Boiled
A Squeeze of Lemon

Method

Boil the noodles as per packet instructions. Keep aside.

Fry the prawns with a pinch of salt, half of the  noodles masala and black pepper powder until they’ve just turned pink. Set aside. 

In the same pan, fry the garlic and green chilly add in the Thai green curry paste, remaining noodles masala and a little water, cook for a minute. Add the peas, prawns, noodles and mix. Serve with squeeze lemon juice.

Enjoy!!
Labels: Asian Cuisine, Prawns, Shrimps, Seafood/Fish, Pasta & Noodles, Green Curry Paste, Thailand, Fish Friday, Main course

Novemeber 2020 Fish Friday event the theme is Fish For Thanksgiving, our host is Wendy ofA Day in the Life on the Farm

• Cheesy Shrimp Stuffed Poblano Peppers from Food Lust People Love
• Crab Stuffed Deviled Eggs from Palatable Pastime
• Cracked Crab with Lemongrass, Black Pepper, and Basil from Culinary Adventures with Camilla
• Shrimp Mini Quiche Appetizers from Karen's Kitchen Stories
• Shrimp Turkey Centerpiece from Sid's Sea Palm Cooking
• Crispy Brussels Sprouts Salad with Seared Scallops from A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Pumpkin and Shrimp Bisque from Making Miracles
• Thai Noodles With Shrimps from Sneha's Recipe

Vegetarian Rice Roni With Homemade Rice Roni Mix

This Homemade Rice Roni is a blend of rice and pasta which then cooked in butter, chicken/vegetable stock and seasonings until light and fluffy. A quick easy dish that tastes so good. This Homemade Rice-A-Roni has no artificial ingredients and is absolutely delicious. 

I had this rice roni many times when I stayed abroad.  I loved it , but, here it's not available so made my own.  This is a basic mix, you can have many add ons/flavorful spices to it when you are cooking this as a meal.

This Homemade Rice Roni is the perfect accompaniment to make a complete and delicious meal with chicken, fish, steak or shrimp. I also used this to make this  Colombian Arroz Atollado

Ingredients 
200 Grams Spaghetti - broken into pieces
2 Cups Basmati Rice

1 Tablespoon Oil
Method
Wash the rice with a wet cloth and let it dry for some time. In the meantime in a pan heat a tablespoon of oil and fry the spaghetti  for a minute or two only. Cool and mix it with the rice.  

Homemade Rice Roni Mix is ready.  

I made a vegetarian version of this for our lunch.
Vegetarian Rice Roni

Ingredients

1 Tablespoon Dried Chives

1 Teaspoon Italian Seasoning Mix 

1 Bay Leaf

¼ Teaspoon Black Pepper Powder or to taste

1 Vegetable Stock Cube

1 Scallion/Spring Onion -  chopped 
1 Medium Onion - chopped  
1 Teaspoon Minced Garlic 
5 - 6  Broccoli Florets
¼ Cup  Diced Carrots

¼ Cup  French Beans - chopped

½ Cup  Colored Bell Peppers - chopped 

1 Small  Tomatoes - chopped  

1½ Cups  Rice Roni

3½  Cups Water

2 Tablespoons Butter

1 Tablespoon Oil

Method

Heat oil and butter in a large pot/pan, fry the onion, till translucent, add all the veggies, chives, seasoning , bay leaf and saute for a minute.  

Add the stock cube, water , give it a light mix and bring this to a rolling boil.  

Now add the rice roni , give it a light stir. Cover, let it be on high flame for a minute then reduce the flame to low and let it cook for 12 -15 minutes giving it a light stir after 5 minutes.  Check for taste and seasoning, add black pepper powder to your taste ( this is optional). 

When liquid has been absorbed, take a test bite to see if rice is cooked through. Add  hot water if necessary and continue cooking if it needs a bit more time.

 Delicious Rice Roni is ready to enjoy. 

Serve this with Egg And Cauliflower Salad.