June 2, 2020

Recipe for Momsy’s Pasta dè Asiano

This is a recipe that my Mom created to fit not only our taste buds and hungry tummies but also her little tired side(which you won’t see very often…but yeah it’s there!)

Back in the day when we didn’t know what was “White Sauce Paste” and “Red Sauce Pasta” and the likes, this is how Mum would make Pasta for us. And we little rascals used to relish it because the base was Tomato Ketchup! Like it’s Party Time for us kids! Haha

And since Chinese Food was a thing at my place, we always had bulk stock of Chinese Sauces on hand at any given point in time. This Pasta is a fusion of Italian, Indian and Chinese hence I've decided to call it Pasta dè Asiano( The Asian Pasta) 🙂

Mom used to (and still does sometimes) make this for our parties and this used to be a Super hit not only with the kids but also the adults. And as time went by and people started exploring various cuisines and cultures, whenever they would eat this Pasta they would ask my Mom“Wow ya, what sauce is this?? And my Mom so innocently replies “Tomato Sauce”Awwwwww! Mumma….

I’d be lying if I said that the Actual Pasta lovers were Happy about this Fusion! Hahahaha…But whatever the heck! Mom’s the Word!

I’m sure you’re intrigued to know what’s in it! Fikar Not…here’s the recipe!

Course Main Course, Snack

Cuisine Asian, Fusion, Italian

Keyword Fusion Pasta, Pasta

Prep Time 1

Cook Time 20

Total Time 1 20

Servings 2 people

Ingredients

1 Cup Penne Pasta(Or Any Pasta of your Choice)
2 Medium Sized Onions(cut long)
1 Small Capsicum(cut into long strips)
4 garlic cloves chopped fine
150 gms Boneless Chicken(Boiled with Salt and eithershredded or cut into strips)
½ Cup Black Olives(optional – My Mom doesn’t use olives)
¼ Cup + 2 Tbspn Tomato Ketchup(alter as per preference)
1.5 Tsp Red Chilly Sauce
½ Tspn Soy Sauce
½ Tsp Vinegar
2 Tbspn Oil for tossing the Pasta
Water for Boiling the Pasta
4 Tbspn Oil to be added while boiling the Pasta
1 Tbspn Salt to be added while boiling the Pasta
1 Cup Grated Cheese(I have used sliced cheese here 2 slicescut into 4 squares)

Instructions

First, in a large vessel, add the Water, Oil and Salt and Keep it on High Flame for Boiling
Note: Adding Oil to the water is a very important step. If oil isn’t added, the Pasta will get sticky. The Oil helps the Pasta to remain loose and separated
As soon as the water begins to boil, add the Pasta into the boiling water and boil the Pasta until it is about 80% cooked only and Immediately Strain the Pasta into a large strainer. As the Pasta is kept aside to cool, Prep all your ingredients in advance
Note: The Pasta will be further tossed later so if the Pasta is fully cooked, it will further get cooked and will become extremely soft and will break. Hence do not cook the Pasta until fully soft
Ensure the Pasta is not kept in the hot water or else it will get further cooked and become sticky and soft
Now, Take a Large Wok or Skillet and Add 2 Tbspn Oil and place it on High flame
Once the Oil turns hot, add the chopped Garlic
As soon as the Garlic begins to turn brown, add the Onions and Capsicum and Mix well
Once the Onions start turning translucent, add the Sauces and mix it well and let the Onions and Capsicum cook in the sauces for about 5 minutes
Then Add the Pasta and the Olives(if using) and Mix all this well
Once the Pasta is coated with the sauces, add the Chicken
Mix everything well and let it cook for 2-3 minutes
Now turn the heat to extreme low heat and spread the grated cheese all over the Pasta
Note: You can use any cheese that you like. If you wish to mix Mozzarella you can use that as well. If you wish to skip the cheese you can do that.
Cover the vessel with a lid and let it cook until all the Cheese melts
Enjoy this fusion Pasta straight out of the Pan. It tastes best when it’s really Hot. The best part is that you can have this Fully loaded Pasta as an entire meal and it requires no accompaniment
Notes:
If you’re making a Veg Pasta you can go with various veggies like Coloured Peppers, Beans, Carrots, Broccoli, Corn, Mushroom, etc.
You can add some Oregano and Chilly flakes as well. Tastes superb
Salt can be added only if required. I usually don’t add salt because we add salt to boil the Pasta plus there is salt in all the sauces and lastly, cheese has a high content of salt