Indian-style Pasta

I have got so many requests to share a pasta recipe with Indian spices. Pasta, as we all know originated in Italy. It has been found in Indian super markets for more than a decade now. During my college days, my brother and I used to just boil the pasta and mix it up with left over chicken curry. With a little additional salt and chili powder, it used to taste fantastic. So I was confident that pasta blends very well with Indian spices.

I prefer making this Masala Pasta at home because I feel the pasta dishes served in restaurants with tomato sauce are too bland for my taste buds. Whenever I go to restaurants, I like to order Pasta with white sauce instead. This recipe of Indian style pasta is made with the basic Indian masala – onion tomato masala. You can jazz it up by adding vegetables or meat of your choice. Kids sometimes love plain pasta, so this is perfect. So try out the spicy masala pasta and enjoy.

Ingredients

• Pasta - 1 cup
• Water - 4 cups
• Onions - ¼ cup (Finely chopped)
• Tomatoes- ¼ cup (finely chopped)
• Ginger-garlic paste - 1 tsp
• Green chilly- 1 (finely chopped)
• Chilly powder/ hot sauce - 1 tsp
• Garam masala - ¼ tsp
• All purpose flour (Maida) - 1 tsp
• Milk - 3 tbsp
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil - 2 tbsp
• Salt- to taste
• Coriander leaves- for garnishing

Method

1. In a deep pan heat water and bring it to a boil. Add salt and few drops of oil
2. Add the pasta to this and let cook for 6- 8 minutes, until it is cooked al dente (soft but firm). Each shape of pasta cooks differently. Do check the package for cooking instructions. Be very careful, not to overcook.
3. Drain the water and keep it aside. I usually like to reserve 1/4 cup of the cooking water just in case I need to thin the sauce.
4. In a pan heat the oil. Saute the onions and green chilly till golden brown.
5. Next add the ginger garlic paste and cook for half a minute.
6. Next add the tomatoes and saute the mixture till the tomatoes mash up.
7. Now add the flour and saute for a minute. This is just to give a thickness to the sauce and help it coat the pasta nicely.
8. Add the milk, chilly powder/chilly sauce, salt and garam masala. If you do not prefer adding milk, substitute with the drained cooking water instead.
9. Mix well and check for seasoning. It should be little on the saltier and spicier side so that when we mix the pasta it is perfect. You can make this sauce ahead of time and mix in the pasta when you are ready to serve.
10. Finally add the pasta and toss well. Switch off when all the pasta is coated with the masala and it is heated through.
11. Garnish with coriander leaves and serve.

Serving Suggestion

• You can serve this pasta as a side dish with some fried chicken, baked chicken or baked fish.
• You can also enjoy it as a light meal.

Variation

• You can add some vegetables or chicken pieces or shrimp when making the masala. It makes a complete meal.

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