Farfalle with Broccoli and Mushrooms

I like recipes that are really quick. The rewarding part about cooking is the end result. It feels great when you see what you’ve cooked plate up. It’s something that you put together and create. The slightest difference in temperature or timing can make the dish taste so different. What matters is how it looks and tastes at the end. And when you achieve it with the least amount of hassle and time, it can’t get better. This is one such recipe.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups boiled Farfalle
• 1 tbsp. chopped Garlic
• 1 tbsp. Butter
• ½ cup grated Cheddar Cheese
• ¼ cup Milk
• ¼ tsp. dried thyme
• Salt and Crushed Pepper for Seasoning
• 8-10 florets blanched Broccoli
• ½ cup sliced Mushrooms

Method:

• Heat butter in a Pan.
• Add the Garlic and sauté for half a minute.
• Add the sliced mushrooms and cook them for a minute or two.
• Now add the milk and the cheese together. The milk will help the cheese from burning and add texture to the dish.
• Cook on low flame until the cheese melts evenly.
• Now add the broccoli and the farfalle and mix well.
• Season with salt and Pepper.

Mushroom Masala

Mushrooms are always a hit in our house. I decided to make Mushroom Masala today the way they make in Restaurants. Mushroom Masala can be made even without the Cream and the Cashew paste, but this is how I wanted it to be today. The Cashew Paste helps to thicken the Gravy and moreover makes it richer. Also, I’ve used canned mushrooms instead of fresh mushrooms for I couldn’t find the fresh ones. Of course the fresh ones taste much better, but I had no option. The same recipe works great with green peas added. I’ve made the tomato Puree myself, but you can skip the extra effort and go ahead and use canned tomato puree.

Ingredients for Mushroom Masala:

• 1½ cup Tomato Puree
• ½ cup Cashew Paste
• ½ cup Onion Paste
• 1 tbsp. chopped Ginger, Garlic and Green Chilies put together
• ¼ cup finely chopped Onion
• 3 tbsp. Fresh Cream
• 1½ cup Fresh Button Mushrooms Sliced
• ½ cup Onion Paste
• 1 Bay Leaf
• 1 Black Cardamom
• 2 Green Cardamom
• 1 inch Piece Cinnamon
• 1 tsp. Red Chili Powder
• 1 tsp. Garam Masala Power
• ¼ tsp. Turmeric Powder
• 1 tbsp. Oil
• 1 tsp. Butter
• Chopped Coriander Leaves for Garnish

Method to make the Mushroom Masala:

• Add the Oil into a Pan.
• Then add the Bay Leaf, Cinnamon, Black Cardamom and the Green Cardamoms and Sauté for half a minute.
• Add the Finely Chopped Onions, Chopped Green Chili, Ginger and Garlic and Cook for 2 minutes.
• Then add the Tomato Puree, Garam Masala, Red Chili Powder and Turmeric Powder and mix well.
• Now add the Cashew Paste and Onion Paste along with 1 cup of water and cook for 10 minutes.
• Now add the Mushrooms and cook for 10 more minutes.
• Adjust the Salt if necessary.
• Turn off the heat and add the Fresh Cream and mix well.
• Transfer the Mushroom Masala into a Serving Bowl, top it with butter and sprinkle some fresh Coriander Leaves.

Ingredients for Tomato Puree:

• 3 cups chopped Tomatoes
• 1 tsp. Ginger Garlic Paste
• 1 tsp. Sugar
• Salt to Taste
• 1 cup Water

Method:

• Add the Tomatoes, Ginger Garlic Paste and water into a blender and blend till its smooth.
• Pass the puree through a Sieve.
• Now transfer it into a saucepan and cook for 10-15 minutes. (Make sure you’re away from stove because the tomatoes tend to splutter all over).
• The puree will reduce by 10- 15 minutes.
• Now add the Salt and Sugar and cook further for 3 minutes.
• Note: The Sugar is used to break the sourness of the Tomatoes.
• Keep the Tomato Puree Aside.

Ingredients for Cashew Paste:

• ½ cup Cashews
• ¼ cup Water

Method:

• Add the Cashews and water into the blender and blend into a fine paste.
• Make sure you’re left with not tiny chunks. It has to be absolutely smooth.

Ingredients for the Onion Paste:

• 1¼ cup Finely Chopped Onions
• 2 tsp. Oil
• A Pinch of Salt

Method:

• Heat Oil in a Pan.
• Add the Onions and Cook till they turn Golden Brown.
• Add the Salt and Mix well.
• Then transfer it into a blender and blend into a fine paste.
• Add water while blending if necessary.