A Kiddies Delight- Dinosaurs Pasta in a Vegetable Medley

I was in a mood to fix a quick Sunday breakfast for the kids, as I had to start shopping for FIL’s 80th b’day which I have to attend this month end in Bangalore. Last few days were very low for us and since the younger one seemed a little okay, and he had got the kind little nod from the doc, that he could have some whole wheat pasta made in little oil, I indulged myself in making some dinosaur shaped pasta for him. A treat for him after 3 weeks of stringent diet regime.

This is a very simple recipe, very quick to make and a complete heart winner with the kids. One can use any pasta of their choice, I used the dinosaur shaped ones as my younger one is very fond of it. I used fresh herbs, no artificial flavorings, a little olive oil and spiced with a little freshly ground pepper. We got a pasta with all natural and prominent flavors.

Ingredients
21/2 cups of boiled pasta
2 onions chopped
4 tomatoes chopped
2 large garlic cloves  chopped
1 green or any colored capsicum chopped
3-4 mushrooms washed and sliced
1/2 carrot peeled and grated
1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper
2-3 tsp chopped celery
a large pinch of ajwain or carom seeds or oregano
salt to taste
1/2 tsp sugar
3-4 tsp extra virgin olive oil
parsley to garnish
Method

Take a large pan and take enough and more water to boil the pasta. One should remember that Pasta almost doubles in volume after cooking. Add 2 tsp oil and some salt to the water. When the water starts boiling add about 11/2 cups of pasta and cook ‘Al Dente’. It means it is tender but with firm resistance to the bite.

Once cooked remove in a colander and pour cold water on it and keep aside. This prevents the Pasta from sticking each other.

Heat olive oil in a pan and add chopped garlic. When it turns brown add the onions and cook till translucent. Now add chopped celery, carom seeds (I added this as they are good for gastric discomfort), carrot, tomatoes, salt and sugar. Cook till tomatoes are done and has a saucy texture.

Now add the pasta, capsicum, pepper pwd and toss it in the sauce properly for 2-3 mins max. Do not overcook, else you loose all natural flavors and the sauce turns too thick. It should coat the pasta properly (ideally the pasta should be dipped in hot water before adding to the sauce).

Serve it hot with some parsley and grated cheese (I did not add that, as he still can’t have it).

Sending the pasta to Kids delight hosted by Srivalli at Spice Your Life to celebrate her blog’s first anniversary.

And to  “Just not any other dish” hosted by My experiments with cooking @ cooking demystified, as this is a special meal for my child, for whom it is like the first step taken towards  normal eating after a very long duration. So, this Pasta is very special for him and for me too.