Italian dinner Menu- Bruschetta, Pasta & Salad

Sometimes we don't want a party.
Sometimes we just want a little conversation.
Sometimes we just want to retell our stories.
Sometimes we are short of time.
Sometimes... a little time together is enough.

Hence we eat less and talk more...

Meeting with friends is very uncomplicated and, so we make what seems as the most fulfilling of meals, for an evening together.

Pasta and salad is one of those meals. You put in a starter just like that and, well dessert is there to sweeten the memories...

Menu for the evening
Starter- Bruschetta
Main course - Pasta and Salad
Dessert- Fruit custard (Ok! I know that is not Italian)
Coke, Sprite and Water to drink. (I'm a teetotaler!)

Bruschetta

• French bread- sliced into 20 pieces
• Tomatoes- 3 medium, chopped
• Olive oil-1tsp + 2 tbsp (for toasting the bread)
• Mozzarella cheese- grated, half cup
• Garlic- 2 halves
• Oregano- 1/4 tsp (dried)
• Black pepper- 1/4 tsp (crushed)
• Salt to taste

To make

Mix tomatoes, 1tsp olive oil, oregano, pepper and salt. Keep in refrigerator.

Heat a skillet and pour 1 tbsp olive oil on it. Keep as many slices as possible and toast it well.

Now rub the garlic halves on the toasted bread and top it up with a spoon of tomato mix.  

Spread some cheese over it.Serve.

Salad

• Cucumber- 2, chopped
• Onion- 1, chopped
• Tomatoes- 1 medium, chopped
• Capsicum- 1 medium, chopped small
• Feta - 30 gm, make cubes
• Olive oil- 1 tsp 
• Black pepper- 1/2 tsp
• Parsley- Chopped, 1 tbsp
• Kosher salt- to taste

To Make:

Mix the chopped vegetables. Add olive oil , pepper and salt.

Add feta cubes. Chill in the fridge and serve.

Pasta

• Penne Pasta- Cooked in hot water till al dante
• Onions- 1 medium,thinly sliced
• Mush rooms- 3-4, quartered or chopped ( you can put more if u like)
• Olive oil- 1 Tbsp
• Capsicum/bell pepper- 1, thinly sliced
• Broccoli- 2-3 large pieces which are chopped small( I used frozen florets)
• Parmesan cheese- about 2 Tbsp, grated
• White sauce (recipe below)
• Tomato and mint sauce (recipe below)

Tomato & Mint sauce

• Tomatoes- 4
• Mint-1/2 cup
• Whole red chili- 1
• Salt to taste
• Black pepper- 1/2 tsp
• Garlic- 4-6 cloves
• Olive oil- 1tbsp (optional)

Blend all the ingredients together. Keep aside for use.

White sauce

• Refined flour (maida)- 3 Tbsp
• Cold milk- 2 cups
• Salt to taste
• Black Pepper- 1/2 tsp
• Butter- 1.5 tsp (5-7 grams)

1. Mix refined flour in milk with a wire whisk. Add salt & pepper. Mix.
2. At this point you can refrigerate it to make the actual sauce later.
3. Melt the butter in a pan and add the milk mixture. Keep stirring till it thickens and forms a smooth paste.

To make Pasta

1. Heat live oil in a wok/Kadhai.
2. Add Onion, capsicum, broccoli and mushrooms in that order. Fry at medium flame for 4-5 minutes.
3. Add Tomato & mint sauce. Cook till the raw garlicky smell is gone. 
4. Add Penne pasta. Top this up with the white sauce.
5. Mix well till the pasta is coated with the sauce (both tomato and white one).
6. Adjust for salt and seasoning (you can add ready-made Italian seasoning if you want).
7. Garnish with Parmesan cheese and serve hot.

Enjoy a relaxed evening!