Ingredient Ideology | Pasta To Perfection Connecting Up Flavors And Tastes To Appease Our Compassion By: Dr. Kaviraj Khialani- Celebrity Master Chef.

Pasta Is One Ingredient Close To Many A Hearts And Taste Buds For Various Reasons Well Justified By Most Of Us And Seriously Taken By A Number Of Us Too! Cooking And Eating Good Food Not Only Needs A Bit Of Variation Sometimes But Also Needs To Create A Bit Of Interest To Try Out Something Which Is Not The Regular Always And That’s The Kind Of Thinking Which Makes Us Go A Long Way Creating New Concepts And Concoctions To Please Our Palate!

Cooking With Pasta Is Now Pretty Much An Old Story But The New Ness That Comes To It With Our Ideology Is What Keeps It Right There On The Popularity Charts Since A Long Time Which Shall Continue In The Future Also. From Kids To Teenagers And To All Age Groups Pasta Is A Good Break From Routines Making It Is Fun And So Is Enjoying It Until The Last Bite!

My Experience With Pasta Goes Back To The Times When We Only Had A Couple Of Basic Sauces The White And The Tomato Which Were Most Common And From The Very Technique Of Understanding Al Dente Stage- Just Cooked Or Can Bite Into Stage Of Cooking Pasta To Trying It Out In Fusion Variations It Has Been Simply Divine And Full Of Wow Factors Attached To It From The Guests I Served Some Really Unusual Ones.

It Is This Wow Factor Which Not Only Enhances Guest Experience At A Restaurant But Also Helps Us In Word Of Mouth Publicity On Social Media As Well As Getting The Guest Back For More And Most Importantly Earning His Loyalty With Us.

Pasta Have Been Known To Us In A Number Of Shapes, Sizes, Patterns, Names And Colors As Well. They Go Back To A Basic Classification Of Small And Long, Shapes And Plan Or Stuffed Varieties. From The Fresh Homemade Pasta To The Machines Its Journey Has Been Wonderful And Chefs Around The World Have Contributed Immensely Towards Its Development.

Here Are 3 Simple, Easy To Make And Enjoy Pasta Recipes With A Little Twist Of Taste For All You Foodies To Enjoy:

Recipe- 1] Momentum Of Peace

[Fettucine Pasta Tossed In An Herbed Creamy Sauce With Fresh Sliced Mushrooms, Star Anise And Pepper, Cooked To Perfection]

Ingredients:

Fettucine Pasta- 100 Gms, Boiled To Al Dente Stage.

Fresh Sliced Mushrooms- 150gms.

For The Sauce:

Oil/Olive Oil-1 Tbsp.

Butter- 1tsp

Star Anise- 1 No

Garlic – 1 Tsp Chopped

Onion- 1 Small Chopped

Maida- 1 Tbsp.

Water/Veg Stock-2-3 Cups.

Salt And Crushed Black Pepper To Taste

Mixed Herbs & Chili Flakes To Taste

White Wine- 30 Ml Optional

Fresh Cream- 60ml

Grated Parmesan Cheese- 30gms/As Per Taste.

Parsley- 1 Tbsp. Chopped

Method: 

1. Prepare All The Ingredients For The Pasta.

2. Boil The Pasta To Just Cooked Stage And Keep Aside, Apply A Little Oil To Prevent Sticking Or Boil It Just When The Sauce Is Getting Ready And Put It In Immediately.

3. To Prepare The Mushroom Cream Sauce, Heat Oil And Butter In A Pan, Add In The Star Anise – This Is My Additional Choice Of Ingredient Here Since It Goes Well With The Recipe, It May Be Avoided As Well.

4. Add In The Garlic, Onions And Saute For A Few Seconds, Now Add In The Mushrooms And Saute, Add In The Flour To Thicken Up The Excess Liquid, Add In Wine If Desired.

5. Cook The Mixture On A Medium Flame, Add In Little Veg Stock/Water And Mix, Add In The Fresh Cream A Little Cheese Blend It All Well And Finally Add In The Boiled Pasta Toss Well, Check For Seasonings.

6. Finally Serve The Dish In A Pasta Plate, Garnish With Parsley, Olives, Cheese And Micro Greens And Serve Hot.

Chefs Variations: 

The Same Pasta Can Be Made In A Number Of Ways With A Few Alterations Like Adding An Indian Style Korma Gravy With Mushrooms, Paneer And Capsicums.

Try The Similar Option With Boneless Cubes Of Chicken, Reshmi Malai Tikka, Add In Sliced Cooked Chicken Seekh Kababs As Well.

For The Vegetarians Who Avoid Mushrooms Can Use Colorful Bell Peppers, Broccoli, Zucchini, Snow Peas Etc Too With Their Pasta.

Recipe- 2] Orange Mystiq

[Fusilli Pasta Tossed In A Mix Of Herbs And Spicy Flavors Tomato Base With A Dash Of Cream And Hint Of Cheese]

Ingredients:

Fusilli Pasta- 100 Gms Boiled

For The Sauce:

Oil/Olive Oil- 1 Tbsp.

Butter- 1tsp

Garlic- 1 Tsp Chopped

Onions- 1 Small Chopped

Tomato Puree- 1 Cup Fresh

Kashmiri Red Chili Powder-1/2 Tsp

Paprika/Chili Flakes- 1 Tsp

Salt And Pepper To Taste

Mixed Herbs- 1 Tsp Or Fresh Herbs Like Basil, Thyme, Oregano.

Refined Flour- 1 Tbsp.

Veg Stock/Water- 2 Cups

Fresh Cream- 2 Tbsp.

Grated Cheese- 30gms.

Herbs/Olives To Garnish- 10 Gms.

Additional Veggie Add Ons To The Pasta- Shredded Capsicums, Boiled Corn, Broccoli, Asparagus, Paneer Cubes Etc.

For Non-Veg Variations: Cooked Chicken Cubes, Sliced Tandoori Chicken Or Cubes Of Chicken Tikka, Fish Tikka, Tandoori Prawns, Tandoori Lamb Chops Sliced As Well Can Be Used.

Method:

1. Prepare All The Ingredients For The Pasta.

2. Heat Oil And Butter In A Pan, Saute The Garlic, Onion Saute Well Until Light Pink, Add In The Tomato Puree, Seasonings, Herbs, Spices And Cook Well On Medium Flame, Add Little Water Or Stock.

3. Once It Starts Leaving Oil From The Sides, Add In The Fresh Cream And Mix Well, Add In The Boiled Pasta, Veggies Or Non-Veg Of Your Choice And Cheese And Toss Well, Cook For 2 Mins.

4. Serve Hot Garnished With Olives, Cheese, Fresh Herbs And Serve.

Chefs Variations:

Try The Same Recipe With A Flavor Of Kasuri Methi- Dried Fenugreek Leaves Adding Them Into The Tomato Sauce, With A Little Garam Masala Powder As Well, To Slightly Indianise The Flavors.

For A Denser Flavor Of Fusion, Can Add A Little Schezuan Sauce To The Tomato Base Sauce And Continue With It Add Spring Onion Greens As Well.

Recipe-3] Hariyali Aur Pasta

[A Simple Yet Delectable Spaghetti Pasta Tossed In A Green Sauce With Flavors To Entice The Senses And A Feeling Of Goodness All Over]

Ingredients

Spaghetti Pasta- 100gms Boiled.

For The Green Sauce:

Fresh Basil Leaves- 2 Cups, Stems To Be Trimmed

Garlic- 1 Tbsp. Chopped

Chilled Water- 2 Tbsp.

Olive Oil- 4-5 Tbsp.

Salt And Pepper To Taste

Parmesan Cheese- ¼ Cup

Lime Juice- 1 Tbsp.

Nuts- Cashew Tukda/ Almonds/Pista/ Pinenuts- ¼ Cup

To Add On Into The Pasta:

Cherry Tomatoes- 4- 5 No-Cut 1x2

Sliced Olives- 4-5 Green/Black.

Blanched Snow Peas- 10-12 Nos.

Sliced Roast Chicken Breast/ Poached Fish Fillets/ Sliced Boiled Eggs/ Grilled Paneer Cubes Or Tofu/ Cooked Soy Chunks/ Butter Garlic Prawns/ Malai Paneer Tikka Etc Can Be Combined With This.

Method:

1. Prepare All Ingredients For The Pasta.

2. Boil The Spaghetti Pasta And Keep Aside.

3. In A Blender Jar Combine Ingredients For The Green Chutney And Mix Well.

4. Remove Into A Bowl, Keep In The Fridge Until Used.

5. If Serving Immediately Toss The Sauce With The Boiled Pasta, Add Your Choice Of Additional Ingredients To Add Color/Flavor And Texture.

6. Serve At Room Temperature Or Chilled Ideally Garnish With Cherry Tomatoes, Olives, Parmesan Or Cheese Shavings.

Chefs Variations:

To Prepare The Same Green Sauce Differently I Also Use Blanched Spinach Leaves With Some Fresh Basil, Add Roasted Peanuts, A Bit Of Ginger, Garlic And Green Chili As Well To The Chutney And Blend It Well.

For The Pasta, We Can Toss It In The Pan With Some Olive Oil, Burnt Garlic And Chili Flakes A Little White Wine And Then Add It To The Sauce.

Ingredient Ideology By: Winter Warming Walnut Special Delights by Dr. Kaviraj Khialani – Celebrity Master Chef.

A Bundle Full Of Benefits To Explore And Imbibe

Walnuts are one of those varieties of nuts which have been known to us since a very long time and come winter come walnuts used to be the call I heard as I grew up from the elders in the house to the kids all would get going working hard to crack those nuts against all possible options to check what’s in store within and relist the fruit from the bundle of joy and well-being.

Walnuts are known to be an edible seed of a drupe and not a true botanical nut, rounded, single seeded stoned fruits of the walnut tree used for its inner goodness upon ripening and nutritive consumption, we often refer to them as Persian or English varietals, not to forget they must be processed and stored properly since their poor storage often makes them susceptible to insect and fungal mold infestations, a mold infested walnut batch is to be discarded completely. 

From having it as it is in its naturally crunchy texture and dense woody mouthfeel to having it in desserts, coffee walnut brownie, date and walnut pancakes, walnut banana bread, in health bars, in chocolates, milkshakes, smoothies, a few main courses as well walnuts have found their space well enough in our kitchen and bakery since a while now.

Let us have a look at the:

Top 10 Health Benefits of Warming up with Walnuts:

1. Walnuts are considered good for hair, skin, bones and assist in graceful aging.

2. Walnuts are high in anti-oxidants, helps fight stress, are nutritionally dense form of food.

3. Walnuts assist our body in healthy blood formation, lubricates our digestive system.

4. Walnuts are a rich source of Vitamin E and omega 3 fat from plants including walnuts which is called as alpha-linolenic acid [ALA]

5. Walnuts are known to be good for the memory and brain and also improve metabolism.

6. Walnuts also contain Vitamin- B complex, they also strengthen the kidneys and lungs.

7 Walnuts prevent inflammation in the body and prevents constipation and helps digestion in our system.

8.Walnuts help in treatment of type-2 diabetes and also helps in weight loss and management.

9. Walnuts are also called as longevity food, gets us good sleep, and also helps reproductive health in men.

10. Walnuts offer us a balance of all the essential nutrients needed on a daily basis for smooth functioning and also its consumption gives a feeling of satiety and fullness.

Top 10 Culinary Uses of Walnuts:

1. Adding walnuts to health shakes and bars, having them in between the meals during the day, having them in warm milk before sleeping at night, walnut cinnamon cookies & soy walnut biscuits are a good choice as well.

2. Walnuts have been used in making Akhroat ka halwa, sheera, and also used in making various Indian sweet look great as a part of garnish.

3. Using walnuts in salads adding them for that crunch on top is a great option, it also can form the part of the body like in waldorf salad, try adding it to a vinaigrette dressing it works well too, also a little drizzle of walnut oil on a salad can change its entire mouthfeel.

4. Date & walnut muffins, banana flax seed and walnut bread, whole grain pancakes with fruity walnut toppings, walnut and tropical fruit waffles are some of the ways of using it.

5. Walnuts in stir fries, adding them to a filling for pies, crusts, pastries and tarts also works well, it can easily blend itself well be it sweet or savory preparations.

6. Cheese, spinach and walnut tartlets, chicken and walnut pies, walnut and mushroom crepes, soy walnut meatballs, tofu and walnut Asian style stir fry are some of the ways to use walnuts too.

7. Add them for that crunch to a sandwich spread as well with avocado, lime, mint, garlic and olive oil to spread its wholesome nutrition on the bread layering it to be relished.

8. Steamed fish with walnuts dressed in sweet chili sauce wrapped in lettuce leaves, walnut oatmeal idlis, walnut and tahini chutney, walnut butter on crackers with grapes and cheese like a canape concept.

9. Baked berry and walnut bread pudding with custard sauce, walnut parfaits, date and walnut mousse, chick pea walnut falafels in pita pockets, coriander walnut and chili pesto sauce tossed with boiled pasta of your choice and fresh basil, parmesan shavings.

10. Walnut, Celery and Cream Cheese in pastry cases called Vol-Au-Vents, open sandwiches, dips and chutney concepts with walnut and paprika blended with tahini paste and mayonnaise can be offered with grilled and BBQ foods as well. 

Here are a few simple and easy to make recipes with Walnuts for all our readers:

Recipe-1] HERBED WALNUT & PEA DIP

Ingredients:

Walnuts- 10-12 nos.

Boiled chickpeas- 1 cup

Garlic- 1 tsp chopped

Coriander leaves-2 tbsp. chopped

Mayonnaise- ¼ cup

Salt and crushed black pepper- to taste

Roasted crushed cumin – ½ tsp

Mixed herbs- ½ tsp

Chili flakes-1/2 tsp

Olive oil/ oil- 1 tbsp.

Lime juice- 1 tbsp.

Chilled water- 2 tbsp.

To serve the dip with: assorted sticks of vegetables/ crackers/ pita bread/ cheese straws/ Lavash etc.

Method:

1. Prepare all the ingredients for the dip and keep ready

2. Using a mixer grinder jar combine together all the ingredients and churn them well into a dip.

3. Remove and serve into a dip bowl, serve chilled.

Recipe-2] HEALTHY FRUITY WALNUT SHAKE

Ingredients:

Walnuts- 5 -6 nos.

Soy milk/milk/oats milk/- 2 cups

Vanilla essence or pinch of green cardamom/cinnamon powder-1 pinch- [any 1]

Banana- 1 no ripe

Dates- 3 -4 no.

Mint leaves- 4-5 no.

Chia seeds/ sunflower seeds/pumpkin seeds- 1 tsp [any 1]

Can add any other nuts or dried fruits of your choice as well like apricots/ raisins/sultanas etc.

Method:

1. Prepare all the ingredients for the healthy shake.

2. Using a blender churn together all the ingredients to a smooth texture.

3. Pour into serving glasses and garnish as desired and relish.

Recipe-3] WALNUT VEGGIE SOUP

Ingredients:

Walnuts- 6-8 nos.

Olive oil/oil -1 tbsp.

Bayleaf-1 no

Garlic- 1 tsp chopped

Ginger-1 tsp chopped

Spring onion/onion- 2 small- chopped.

Assorted mix vegetables of your choice: carrots/beans/peas/potatoes/pumpkin/capsicums/sweet potato/beetroot etc can be used.

For non-veg options: add boiled chicken/ saute prawns/ sliced sausages etc once the soup is ready.

Salt and pepper to taste

Water/veg stock- 3-4 cups

Tomatoes-2 med sized chopped

Mixed herbs- ½ tsp or fresh herbs like basil/rosemary/thyme

Garam masala powder-1/2 tsp

Milk top cream- 2 tbsp.- optional

Coriander leaves- 2 tbsp. for garnish.

Method:

1. Prepare all the ingredients for this healthy and worthy soup.

2. Heat oil in a pan, add in the Bayleaf, onions, garlic, ginger and saute for a few seconds.

3. Add in the vegetables of your choice, tomatoes, salt, pepper, spices, herbs, chili flakes, tomatoes and mix well.

4. Add in the water/stock and simmer for 20-25 mins, cool, remove the Bayleaf, puree and strain the mixture.

5. Bring it back to a boil, check for seasonings, texture etc and add in the cream, walnuts and mix well.

6. Serve hot.