Shell Pasta with mixed peppers and black olives

"What do you want for dinner?"

"Paastaa!!" (the little one cries out)

I smile...She has shared my love for pasta. She wants it almost every week now.

I keep the pasta for boiling . 

"I want to see pasta." 

"ok, but you can't touch anything"

"Put tomatoes"

"I will. Now sit and watch."

"Don't put vegetables"

"hmmm"

I chop basil

"What is that?"

A glimpse of the chitter - chatter which goes on when I cook for my daughter. I just put a few ingredients together and came with this simple but satisfying recipe. The best thing was that it was really enjoyed by my little one. She even took second helpings (my inner domestic goddess was dancing!).

You will need

Pasta - 1 and 1/2 cups

Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp

Tomatoes- 4 medium,chopped finely

Fresh basil- 2-3 tbsp, chopped finely

Mixed pepper strips - 2 tbsp

Broccoli florets- small, 1/2 cup approx.

Black olives- 5, chopped like small rings.

Black pepper- 1 tsp

Kosher salt- 1 tsp  or according to taste (you can use normal salt also)

Olive oil- 1 tbsp

Method

Cook pasta till al dente. Add turmeric powder while boiling.

Take a wok. Pour olive oil and heat on low flame.

Add Broccoli and mixed pepper strips and cook for a few minutes.

Add tomatoes, basil, salt and pepper. cook for 4-5 minutes. I just wanted to release flavours but if you want a sauce like consistency then cook tomatoes for longer.

Add the cooked pasta. Mix well. Taste for adjustments in salt and pepper.

Serve and enjoy with your loved ones.

Yields 2 hearty servings

Inspired Greek salad

There is nothing quite and filling as well as light than a salad. An amazing range of salads can be created with simple ingredients. So when I wanted something filling, yet not really a meal, I rounded up on Greek salad.

Since I did not have all the ingredients for the salad. I experimented around the original which I read here.

Serves 2
Ingredients
1. Cucumbers (we call them chinese cucumbers here)-2 , cut into round thick slices
2. Black olives- 9-10
3. Tomatoes-2 , quartered ( halved cherry tomatoes are preferred)
4. Green bell pepper/capsicum- chopped into squarish pieces. Take 1 (small sized)
5. Olive oil for drizzling- about  1 tbsp
6. Paneer - about 50 -70 gm, cut into really small cubes, or if its crumbly use your hands
7. Oregano - 1/2 tsp
8. Black pepper- 2-3 pinches
Method
Take a deep bowl and put all the ingredients in it and toss well for proper mixing.
Serve cold or at room temperature.