Pasta with mushrooms and peppers! yum

Summer always reminds me of school holidays back home in Rajasthan when all we did was played Mario the entire day! Summer also means Alphonsos!!! Do have seasonal mangoes, very good for liver unlike your coffee and tea. Having mangoes during the season replenishes liver for entire year. Make a mango salad by using chilled mango, pomegranate seeds, fresh mint leaves and some lime juice! Very refreshing

Italian food is not just about spaghetti in arabiatta sauce. There is a lot more to Italian food! Like any other cuisine, its all about fresh produce and robust flavors. Most of us have this belief that a pasta dish always have to have some kind of sauce.That ain't true. Italian sauces are simple to make but you can also make a quick pasta dish without using any sauce.  Like I had shared in one of my previous post, Italian food is love. It is the most loved cuisine all over the world! 

Ingredients that normally dominate Italian cuisine are good quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil, garlic, Parmesan cheese, mozzarella, basil leaves. How can i forget tomatoes! Italians love tomatoes..I think Italians consume more tomatoes than Indians...Toss up a simple Caprese salad with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, basil leaves, salt, pepper,olive oil and some balsamic vinegar ( or use lemon juice).  ( Great suggestion- Plant some basil leaves in a pot so you can use fresh leaves )

Cooking and Baking defines me. My mom is a great cook too so may be its in my genes :D:D...As a matter of fact, all moms are great cook so that means all their kids a.k.a you all are good cooks too!!!  Whenever I make something new, I instantly take a picture of it and share with my friends. I made this pasta recently, almost effortless. I highly recommend this recipe. You will totally relish freshness of mushrooms and sweetness of bell peppers. Don't refrain from having mushrooms, one of the few vegetables which directly connects you to mother nature because of it heavenly earthy flavor.

PASTA WITH MUSHROOMS & BELL PEPPERS ( Serves 2-3)

Ingredients

1 measuring cup Pasta (Use any kind)
2 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
3 cloves of Garlic, peeled and minced
1 medium sized Onion, sliced
7-8 Button Mushrooms, sliced
1/2 Yellow Bell Pepper, diced
1/2  Red  Bell Pepper, diced
1 tsp lemon juice
Rind of One lemom
Salt
Mixed herbs
Red chilli flakes

Method

Put a large pot of water on boil. Throw in a spoon of salt and add pasta to the boiling water ( There is no need to add oil to the water if you add pasta to the boiling water, it won't stick). Cook till al dente. Drain and keep aside. 

Heat oil in a large saucepan, add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the onions and cook till translucent. Now add bell peppers and cook for about 5 minutes. Add the mushrooms and cook for further 5 minutes. Lastly add the boiled pasta and add salt, mixed herbs, chili flakes, lemon juice and lemon rind. Give all the ingredients a good stir. Serve hot

Serving suggestion- Top up the dish with black olives and fresh basil leaves to make it more lively and flavorful!

Heart to Heart- Don't be afraid of cooking. Follow your guts, be innovative and you will be surprised how well you can cook! Happy Innovating :)