The other day, my younger cousin called me up. i learnt she has an ascending interest in cooking.
she told me "Di, ive tried Pasta, come over to taste, i think its good."

I being a foodie, on learning abt Pasta, (yuuuuuuummmmmmmm) n having a special corner for Italian, juz wanted to fly and reach there and gulp the pasta n feel it melting inside my mouth...

i kindda ran to her place(read: drove my mini truck- they call Indica the mini truck ;) ), dumping my (window) shopping in between. ;D
and she termed tht debacle "Pasta"....

disappointment, discontentment, disgruntlement!!!!!

Macaroni cooked in d.e.s.i. Chinese style, with a load of Soya Sauce....

Taste me to theek hi tha.. but when one is expecting Italian, and gets served with Chinese, toh ruing is toh apparent..

The base macaroni undoubtedly is Italian, but if we cook it the way we like it, we cant call it Italian dish.

I have another frnd, who like me, is vy fond of Italian food, and cooks it well too (this is wat ive heard) ;)
but he, each time, asks for the receipe.
This ones for u Abhishek..

For White sauce:

Ingredients:
3 cups milk
1/2 cup plain flour
1 tbsp. butter
2 tbsp. cheese grated
salt to taste
pepper to taste

Method:
-In a dry heavy sauce pan, dry roast the flour till light pinkish in colour.
-Remove and keep aside to cool.
-Melt butter in the pan, add half the milk.
-Mix the remaining milk in the cooled flour to form a smooth paste.
-When milk comes to a boil, add paste and stir continuously.
-Bring back to a boil.
-Cook till the sauce is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon thickly.
-Sprinkle salt and fresh ground pepper and stir to mix well.
-Add grated cheese to the mixture.

Use as required in individual recipes

For Spaghetties or pastas:

Ingredients:
2 cups basic white sauce
1 1/2 cups spaghetti or other pasta boiled
1 tsp. mixed dried herbs (optional)
1 carrot grated
1/2 cup cheese grated
1 potato boiled & grated
1 tbsp. buttercrushed
dry red chillies (optional)
salt to taste

Method:
-Mix together potato, carrot, softened butter with a fork.
-Mix together spaghetti, chilli, salt, herbs and white sauce.
-Put in a deep ovenproof dish and spread evenly.
-Sprinkle the cheese to cover the surface.
-Spread the carrot potato mixture either in a design, or along the edge of the casserole.
-Bake in a hot oven till the cheese is golden and crisp.
-Serve hot with garlic bread.


For Garlic Bread:

Ingredients:
Butter,
Garlic- diced evenly
Bread
Cheese (optional)

Method:
-Melt the butter with the diced garlic for 30-40 seconds.
-Apply the melted butter on the bread.
-Grate cheese on the bread and bake it in the oven till it gets crisp.