Meena's Taste Mantra

Roasted Red Bell Pepper Pasta - A delectable pasta with luscious red bell pepper sauce!

It had been quite some time since I felt the urge to have an aromatic hot plate of Pasta! I indulged myself this evening by preparing Roasted Red Bell Pepper Pasta which was on my To Make List since long! I am very glad that I set out to make this today as I am very happy with the results. Best is Amma Appa too loved it. I toned down the Butter and Cheese portion a bit for them. But you can add a bit more as per your taste!

The beauty of this dish is the freshness from the Basil as well as the vibrant colour and slightly smoky flavour of the roasted red bell pepper added to the heavenly aroma of all the herbs and mouth watering Parmesan!

INGREDIENTS

1 cup Pasta, uncooked
1 Red Bell Pepper
1 Onion, small, roughly chopped
3 cloves Lahsun | Garlic
1 tsp + 1 tsp Homemade Butter
1 tsp Olive Oil
1 tsp Fresh Basil, finely chopped
1/2 tsp Kali Miri | Black Pepper Powder | To taste
1/4 tsp Oregano Flakes
1/2 tsp + 1/2 tsp Parmesan Cheese, grated
To taste Pasta Mix Seasoning

METHOD

Cook Pasta as per the instructions on the packet. Reserve 3 tblsp of the cooked pasta water. Strain and keep aside the cooked Pasta.
Preparing Roasted Red Bell Pepper Pasta Sauce

Roasting Red Bell Pepper

Wash the bell pepper and brush the surface with very little oil. Place a grill on the gas and roast the bell pepper. Be careful as you do this. You can insert a fork near the stem to ease turning the bell pepper well from all sides.
Place the roasted bell pepper in a bowl of cold water and with fingers, gently peel off the black roasted peel. Wash and dry the peeled bell pepper.
Cut the roasted and peeled bell pepper into half. Remove the seeds and chop bell peppers roughly.

In a frying pan heat 1 tsp of butter and olive oil.
Add and saute chopped onion and garlic till onions become soft and translucent.
Add chopped roasted bell pepper and saute for a minute.
Switch off the gas and let the sauteed bell pepper cool down a bit. Puree the same to a smooth paste.
In the same frying pan add 1/2 tsp butter and as it melts add red bell pepper puree.
Add salt, black pepper, Oregano and chopped Basil. saute for a minute on low flame.

Preparing Roasted Red Bell Pepper Pasta

Adjust consistency by adding the reserved pasta water. Mix well.
Add 1/2 tsp grated Parmesan cheese and boiled pasta. Mix well till the sauce coats the pasta.
Switch off gas and transfer to a serving plate.
Garnish with remaining Parmesan cheese and Pasta Mix Seasoning.
Serve hot.

Note:

a. You can make the pasta sauce in advance and store it in an air tight container. Refrigerate the same. It will last for atleast 4 days.

b. I have used Fusilli Pasta. You can use as per your wish any Pasta!

We have used:

1. Andalini Durum Wheat - 72 Fusilli Pasta

2. Kodai Parmesan Cheese

3. Borges Light Olive Oil

4. Keya's Oregano Freeze Dried

5. Snapin Pasta Mix Seasoning

About C R Meena

(c) 2014 - 2016, Meena's Taste Mantra is the result of my ardent desire to share my recipes, with all who appreciate and celebrate food. These recipes are as a result of 60 years of cooking experience, influenced by tradition and exposure to various concepts, new recipes/ingredients and a passion for cooking - adapting to healthier alternatives.