Spaghetti Aglio Olio (spaghetti with garlic and olive oil)

To start with, a huge apology to all my followers…for being as callous as it can get :(. I haven’t posted a single recipe across the whole of last one month. No excuse but frankly, it’s been a tiring jugglery between work, home and daily chaos over the last few days.

Sadly, it’s been some time since I cooked an interesting dish (I did try one last week but I can only curse myself for having forgotten to take pictures). To add some solace, here’s a recipe post of a slurrppy dish which I made some weeks ago and fortunately, managed to retain relevant images.

The inspiration is a recipe that I came across while flipping through channels one afternoon. 

It’s an Italian traditional pasta dish (I’m sure you got that!) and is called "Spaghetti Aglio Olio" which literally means spaghetti with garlic and olive oil and pronounced as “Spaghetti Ahl-yo Ohl-yo” (sounds interesting but complicated? It’s the simplest pasta I’ve come across so far!!) 

I love Italian food and this dish comes to my rescue when I haven’t done my grocery shopping (or if you are lazy to cook too!) Let’s gather stuff for the recipe…off to your store…

Preparation Time: 5minutes
Cooking Time: 15minutes
Serves: 4

You need: 350 grams of spaghetti 
5 tablespoons of olive oil
8 garlic cloves (peeled and smashed a little with the side of the knife) 
1 tbsp red chilli flakes
parsley (chopped fine)
salt to taste


Step-by-step: 

Cook spaghetti in hot salted water, drain them and keep aside 

In a wide pan, add olive oil and brown the garlic


Throw in the chilli flakes too

Add the cooked spaghetti and salt (always remember to taste as you have already added salt while cooking spaghetti) 

Garnish with parsley

It’s done…didn’t I tell you it’s very simple…and yummy too!

Serve hot!!...

Yours tastefully!

Chicken Stroganoff/Stroganov

Chicken Stroganoff is originally a Russian recipe (named after P. Stroganov,19th-century Russian count and diplomat) made with chicken, onions and mushrooms in sour cream (I used plain cream!). It is served with egg noodles or rice. Not possibly the healthiest intake but the choice is yours, healthy food or yummy sinful food. To me, this dish comes as a blessing ‘cos it encouraged my hubby to taste mushrooms which was complete no-no for him (I love mushrooms and was not ready to omit it from my cooking)

This is a fantastic recipe that the whole family will love. Here’s how I made chicken stroganoff and I must say,( in all modesty) it was finger licking good ;-)

Preparation time: 20minutes
Cooking time: 30minutes
Serves: 8-9

You need:
900gms chicken breasts
4tbsp butter
8-9 pods of garlic (crushed)
2 large onions (julienned)
200gms mushrooms (each cut into four)
1 large capsicum (cut into 1 inch cubes)
3tbsp plain flour (maida)
50gms of chicken soup (any brand)
3tbsp tomato puree
1tbsp tomato ketchup
1tsp worcestershire sauce
2tsp pepper powder
2tsp chilli powder (adjust according to spice tolerance)
1cup cream
6 tbsp yogurt
2 tsp English mustard
salt to taste

Step-by-step: 

Clean, wash and cut the chicken breast into half inch cubes 

Heat butter in a heavy bottom pan. Add butter, onion, crushed garlic pods and chicken, cover and cook for 10-12 minutes or until the chicken is almost done 

Add mushroom and capsicum cubes (if you like crunchy capsicum, add them at the last stage) 

Cook for another 5-6 minutes 

In a large bowl, mix together – the plain flour, chicken soup powder, tomato puree, tomato ketchup, worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper and chilli powder. Mix well (make sure all the lumps are removed) 

Add the above mixture into the chicken. Stir continuously till the gravy gets cooked and thickens [smelling divine?, it should :) ]

In the same bowl, make a paste with cream, yogurt and mustard. Stir well (if you’ve not added capsicum till this stage, add them now) 

Add the paste and cook for 5 more minutes (noticed the colours change when each mixture is added?)

And it’s done before you know:) , yes! Chicken Stroganoff is ready to be served. 

Serve over a bed of rice / egg noodles or mashed potatoes with some steamed veggies on the side and maybe a slice of bread and you have yourself a hearty meal. 

Try it and tell me if your family enjoyed it.

Happy weekend!

Yours tastefully!!

Shepherd's pie!!

My first recipe post...one of my hubby’s favourites! ...

This dish is as interesting as it sounds……It’s is an English dish, traditionally made with lamb or mutton. Essentially a casserole, lined with cooked meat and vegetables, topped with mashed potatoes and cheese…and baked

Here is a basic recipe for a Shepherd's Pie. 

Preparation Time : 15 mins

Cooking Time : 25mins 

Servings : 4-5


You need: 
2 tbsp sunflower/ olive oil 
2 bay leaves                                                         
1 onion, finely chopped 
2 green chillies, finely chopped(optional)
450gms minced lamb 
2-3 carrots, peeled and cut into rounds                   
1 tsp cumin powder (jeera powder)
1 tsp black pepper powder 
salt to taste
2 tbsp of maida 
300ml chicken stock 
1 tbsp tomato puree 
2-3 potatoes
2tbsp butter 
4-5 tbsp milk 
50 gms cheddar cheese, grated
½ tsp oregano
½ tsp red chilli flakes

Step by step:

•  Heat the oil in a pan and add the bay leaves. Add in the onions and fry till it gets a dark pink colour. Then add the green chillies, lamb, and carrots and continue frying for 8-10 minutes or until the mince turns brown. We don’t have to wait for the mince to be fully cooked as we’ll bake this dish further.
• Add the salt, cumin powder,pepper powder and stir. Sprinkle the flour over the mixture and cook for 3 - 4 minutes. Pour in the chicken stock and tomato puree. Cook until the mixture thickens. In the meantime, peel and boil the potatoes. Mash the potatoes with the butter and milk.
• Preheat the oven at 200 degree C. When the lamb mixture is thick, transfer it into an oven proof dish. Spread the mashed potatoes evenly and top it with the cheese. Sprinkle red chill flakes and dried oregano. Bake the pie on the center rack of your oven for about 25 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the top is golden brown. Serve hot with garlic bread. 

                                       

Try it while the weather's still cold......an amazing dinner surprise!!!

 Yours Tastefully!!