Pasta with mint pesto

"Pesto Sauce" is traditionally prepared using basil leaves, pine nuts, garlic and parmesan cheese. I made a slight variation and used mint leaves and walnuts instead. If you dont have basil leaves on hand, mint leaves is a good substitute.

Ingredients:

2 cups uncooked pasta(I used rotini/corkscrew pasta)
1 chopped onion
1 chopped capsicum
1/2 cup chopped mushrooms
1/2 cup baby corn, boiled and cut lengthwise

Mint Pesto:

1/2 cup mint/pudina leaves
1 tbsp roasted walnuts
1 small clove garlic
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/4 cup grated mozzarella cheese
3-4 red chillies
1/4 cup olive oil
salt

Blend all the above coarsely into a paste. Boil the pasta according to package directions. Drain and keep aside. Heat oil, add onion and saute until golden brown. Add capsicum, mushrooms and baby corn and saute for a couple of minutes. Add the pesto sauce,cooked pasta and salt. Mix well. Cook for about 2 minutes and turn off the heat. Add a dash of cream(optional) for a rich taste. Garnish with grated mozzarella.

Serves 4

Capsicum Masala

Ingredients:

1 chopped onion
1 chopped capsicum
1 tbsp roasted white til/sesame seeds
1/4 cup shredded coconut
1/4 cup milk
1/2 tsp sugar
1 tbsp oil
1 tbsp rasam powder
salt to taste

Make a paste of sesame seeds, milk and coconut . Heat oil, add onion and saute until golden brown. Add capsicum and saute some more. Add the ground paste, rasam powder, salt and sugar. Boil until it becomes a thick gravy. Serve with chapathis.

Serves 4

Shavige Uppittu (Vermicelli Upma)

Shavige is quick and easy to prepare and makes a tasty breakfast entree.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cup vermicelli
4 cups water
chopped green chillies
chopped curry leaves
chopped coriander leaves
1 tsp chana dal and urad dal
1/4 cup roasted peanuts
1/4 cup shredded coconut
1/2 tsp mustard seeds
pinch of hing
pinch of turmeric
salt to taste
1 tbsp oil
1 tbsp lemon juice(optional)

Method:

Boil 4 cups of water, add the vermicelli,salt and a tsp of oil and cook until tender. Drain and keep aside. Heat oil, add the mustard seeds. When it sputters, add chana dal, urad dal, hing, green chillies,curry leaves and roasted peanuts. Add salt,coconut and vermicelli and mix well. Turn off the heat and add lemon juice. Garnish with chopped coriander.

Serves 3