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Thursday, May 24, 2012

Vegan Creamy Pasta


          I love pasta with the alfredo sauce, but most of the time, avoid it because of the amount of calories and fat in the sauce. When thinking about an alternative, I came up with the idea of using mustard seeds and cashews in the place of butter and all purpose flour. I know many of you would make a face at the thought of using mustard seeds, even I had my doubts, but went ahead with the idea and believe me, it tasted really good, creamy and rich, finger lickin' good or should I say fork lickin'..

Need To Have
  • Whole Grain Shells (Pasta) - 4 cups
  • Red Pepper ( Capsicum) - 1 diced
  • Mushrooms - 8 oz diced
  • Zucchini - 1 diced
  • Dry Basil - 3 teaspoons
  • Red Chilli Flakes - 1 teaspoon
  • Cashew Pieces - 2 tablespoons
  • Yellow Mustard Seeds - 2 teaspoons
  • Black Pepper - to taste



Method 
         Cook the pasta according to the instructions on the box ( for about 10 mins). Make a paste with the cashews and the mustard seeds. Heat some olive oil, add the red pepper, mushroom and the zucchini, saute for a few minutes. The vegetables should be half cooked but not mushy. Now add the basil, red chilly flakes and the paste, saute for a few more mins till the raw smell of the mustard seeds goes ( for about 5 mins). Finally mix in the pasta and serve warm with a dash of black pepper.

Note
The vegetables and pasta should not be over cooked.
I don't know whether you can use the store bought mustard sauce, because it contains ingredients other than mustard, try it and let me know.

18 comments:

  1. Wow lovely and very brilliant idea, simply loving this vegan creamy sauce..Well done Hema.

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  2. Pleasing pasta with grt idea......

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  3. Sooo creamy and delicious...

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  4. Never tried like this,looks very creamy n yumm....

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  5. I can have that whole bowl...new recipe

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  6. really very nice looking pasta dish. looks creamy

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  7. Creamy vegan pasta looks lovely and different version of mustard's in pasta.

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  8. pasta luks so attractive nm creamy.......yummyyyyyyyy

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  9. Lovely n delicious pasta
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    Pearl Earrings Giveaway Announcement

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  10. i have never bought yellow mustard seeds.. walnuts in place of cashew is also a good option.. love the shell pasta..need to try this fork licking one :D

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  11. wow..brilliant idea!Pasta with creamy sauces sounds very healthy n yummy!well made!!
    Spicy Treats

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  12. Using mustard seeds and cashews is a nice idea...great way to have a creamy pasta sans all the fat.

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  13. Yummm!! Looks appealing :)
    http://youtoocancookindianfood.blogspot.in/

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  14. great flavours there.. very creamy and delicious looking pasta

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