Rosa Penne Basilico

Undoubtedly PASTA is the most favorite Italian dish. No Italian cuisine is complete without a pasta dish...be it in a form of a salad or a main course.

What I am presenting here is Penne Pasta with a little twist. It’s Pink Sauce basil Pasta with NO ONIONS and NO GARLIC (NO CIPOLLE, NO AGLIO)! Yes you read it right, an Italian dish without garlic and onions.

I am married to a Jain family hence my husband does not have potatoes, onions and garlic! (Although I eat everything:)) But he is a total foodie!!! Hence I was left with no choice but try out dishes without these ingredients.
I was always passionate about cooking and working with limited ingredients was not only experimenting but equally challenging. Because what ultimately matter is the TASTE :)

Red Sauce + White Sauce == Pink Sauce

So I would be preparing both these sauces separately and mix them. In Italy it’s famous as Rosa salsa and it’s usually not too spicy.

The Red Sauce is a very easy and simple method. It’s my own innovative method to make the sauce in a pressure cooker.

I am adding BASIL to the Red sauce to give it the perfect flavor and aroma. (Chef’s tip: This Red Sauce can be used for Red pasta and also as Pizza Sauce)

Rosa Penne Basilico

Combination of RED SAUCE, WHITE SAUCE, PASTA AND VEGETABLES

Serves: 4                                                                         Time taken: 30-40 mins


FOR THE RED SAUCE

Ingredients:
4 medium sized Tomatoes
2 Carrots
Small piece of gourd (dudhi)
Few Basil leaves
2 tbsp Tomato Ketchup
1 tbsp Oregano
1 tbsp Chilli flakes
Salt to taste

METHOD:
Step 1:  Chop medium size chunks of tomatoes, carrots and gourd and mix it with other ingredients in a pressure cooker.

Step 2:  Add little water and pressure cooker for 3 whistles.

Step 3:  Once cooled keep it aside. Shall grind it together with white sauce

FOR THE WHITE SAUCE:

Ingredients:
1 tbsp Butter
1 tbsp Plain flour (Maida)
1 tbsp cheese spread
1 tbsp grated cheese
1 cup milk
Pinch pepper
Salt to taste


METHOD:

Step 1: In a pan add butter and plain flour and sauté for about 2-3 mins or till you get aroma from the flour and the color starts changing.
(Chef’s tip: Use a non-stick pan as this sauce tends to get sticky with the vessel)

 Step 2: Add milk and stir continuously to avoid lumps. Ass both the cheese and sit again for 3-4 minutes till its thick and sauce like consistency.

Step 3: Add salt and pepper and let it cool.

PINK SAUCE:

Step 1: Combine the above Red and White sauce in a mixer grinder and you are ready with your pink(Light red) sauce!!!

Step 2:  Transfer in a pan and taste it for salt and spicy consistency.

PASTA:

Key Ingredient:

 Half pack of Del Monte Penne Pasta(250 gms)

METHOD:

Step 1: Boil the pasta with enough water and 1 tsp olive oil and salt.(Chef's tip: Add salt after the water starts boiling)

Step 2: Once boil Drain the excess water. (Chef’s Tip: Coat the pasta with olive oil to avoid sticking with each other)

VEGETABLES:

Ingredients:

1/2 Red Capsicum
1/2 Green Capsicum
1/2 Yellow Capsicum
4 pieces of baby corn

1 cup boiled American corn

Step 1:  Chop the vegetables and boil the corn.

Step 2: Heat Olive oil in a pan

Step 2: Sauté the vegetables with olive oil, oregano and chilli flakes. Add salt to taste.

The Final Step:

Add the Pink sauce, Sauteed Vegetables and Boiled pasta in a pan and heat it for 3-4 minutes.

Some Get along:

It’s always interesting to have a side dish along with your main course. What better than Garlic breads! Oops.. I just mentioned NO GARLIC.
No problem………..I have don’t have Garlic Breads but I have my own version-"Cheesy Bread"

What you need:
2 Square Breads(Ladi pav)
1 tbsp cheese spread
1 tbsp butter
1 tbsp chilli flakes and oregano each

METHOD:

Step 1: Cut the bread in thin strips. (One bread can give 4-5 strips)

Step 2: Apply cheese and butter mixture, sprinkle the spices and grill on a flat pan.

Step 3: Cover for 2 minutes and it’s done :)

PLATING:

Garnish your pasta with Basil and black olives and enjoy it with Cheesy breads.

Take a bite and........Delizioso!!!

This post is written in association with Indiblogger for Del Monte #ItalianEscapades campaign. 

Do visit their page for more insights https://www.facebook.com/DelMonteIndia.

Happy Eating!!!

cheers

Ruchita